Dear (title, last name - ex: Councilmember Smith or Mayor White or Representative Green):

My name is (your name) and I (here is where you tell how colorectal cancer has affected you in 3 sentences - don't abbreviate CRC in this first paragraph). Did you know that this year more than 153,760 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and that 52,180 people will die from the disease? In (your state), (Insert incidence data for your state) new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and (insert mortality data for your state) people will die from this disease. Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer. Over 90% of those diagnosed while the cancer is still localized survive more than five years. Currently, however, only 37% of colorectal cancers are detected while still localized.

Colorectal cancer is an embarrassing topic for many people, especially those who do not want to talk about the cancer that is "down there." People are dying because they are too embarrassed to talk about colorectal cancer, its symptoms, and how to be screened. I want people to know that they can prevent this tragedy. I would like you to help me open the door to awareness and discussion. I want you to help me save lives. The United States Senate has declared March to be National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I would like to ask you to do the same in our (city, county or state).

If Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month had existed when (I, family member, friend) was (having symptoms; at the age to begin colorectal screening) then perhaps (I, he or she) would not (be fighting colorectal cancer today; have lost their life). Please do not let this happen to you, your family, your friends, or another member of our community. I ask you to proclaim March to be Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in our (city, state). Please let me know how we can make this happen.

Sincerely,

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