Press Releases

May 6, 2011

2nd Annual Fiesta Azul Event Will Help Build Spanish Outreach Programs and Fund Colon Cancer Patient Care

Famed Fashion Designer and Colon Cancer Survivor Carmen Marc Valvo Provides Silent Auction Items

Washington, DC (May 6, 2011) – Dr. Jose Mendoza and Paul Dionne will host the 2nd Annual Fiesta Azul fundraiser to benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance’s Blue Note Fund, a program designed to provide financial support for colon cancer patients in need and increase funding for CCA’s Spanish outreach program to increase screening and awareness among Spanish-speaking individuals.

“This year, the funds raised from Fiesta Azul will benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance’s Blue Note Fund as well as its Spanish outreach programs, two very worthwhile endeavors,” said Dr. Jose Mendoza, colon cancer survivor and volunteer Colon Cancer Alliance Medical Consultant.  “The Blue Note Fund is a financial assistance program for patients currently in treatment and the outreach program will focus on training community leaders to educate their peers.  Funds will also go to improve the Colon Cancer Alliance’s Spanish web site to make it more interactive and comprehensive.”

D.C. Councilmember David A. Catania, Chair of the Committee on Health, will be the honorary host of Fiesta Azul.  This year’s event will include a silent auction with items donated by famed fashion designer and colon cancer survivor Carmen Marc Valvo.  A major advocate for screening, Valvo credits a colonoscopy with saving his life more than eight years ago when he received an early diagnosis of colon cancer.

The event will take place on June 9, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Stages Premier Realtors Washington at 1515 14th Street on the 2nd Floor, Washington, DC.  Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, the official color of colon cancer.

Tickets are available online at http://support.ccalliance.org/fiestaazul

• $100 suggested donation for general attendance
• $250 - Host
• $500 - Sponsor
• $1000 - Gold Sponsor

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is estimated that 142,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. Through recommended screenings, this cancer can be caught early when treatment is most effective — or even prevented altogether when pre-cancerous polyps are detected and removed.

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The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the oldest and largest national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, the CCA provides patient support, public education, supports research and conducts advocacy work across the United States.

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