Yale Cancer Center and the Colon Cancer Alliance Team Up With Olympian Dara Torres to Honor People Confronting Colorectal Cancer
October 28, 2004 
New Haven, CT – Nine-time
Olympic medalist Dara Torres today joined the Yale Cancer Center and the
Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) for a tree-dedication ceremony at Yale-New Haven
Hospital in honor of the Roots of Support in Colorectal Cancer program, a
CCA initiative to help people fight the disease through teamwork and education.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
Nearly 2,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in Connecticut
last year.
"Advancements in colorectal cancer research and treatment are beginning to provide greater hope for people facing the disease," said Edward Chu, M.D., Chief of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center. "We see every day that the involvement of family and friends in their physical and emotional care is an invaluable part of the treatment process."
Dara Torres, a former Olympic swimmer whose father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2001, is an advocate for building a personal support network to navigate the sometimes-daunting journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
"The tree we planted today represents strength, resilience and hope, which are three essential components for fighting cancer and supporting a loved one in the battle against the disease," said Torres. "I’m honored to be a part of the CCA’s team and to be working with the Yale Cancer Center today to help people find the tools and encouragement they need to build their own network of support."
"Simple gestures of support, such as accompanying loved ones to physicians’ appointments or assisting with research and everyday tasks, are critical to helping people with colorectal cancer maintain a positive outlook," said Amy Kelly, Program Director for the CCA. "In fact, a recent survey of our members showed that those who have loved ones helping them cope with this disease feel more informed when making treatment decisions than those who are caring for themselves."
About Roots of Support in Colorectal Cancer
Launched in May 2004, the Roots of Support in CRC program provides
an informative patient guide titled "Cultivating a Network of Support" and
a brochure for loved ones titled "Offering Hope and Support." To
order and/or download the brochures free of charge or for more information,
visit http://www.ccalliance.org/roots or
call (877) 422-2030.
Roots of Support in CRC is made possible through the generosity of Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company and ImClone Systems Incorporated.
About Colorectal Cancer
According to the CCA, colorectal cancer includes cancers of the colon, rectum,
appendix and anus. When abnormal cell growth occurs, a tumor develops.
If the cells of a tumor acquire the ability to invade and thus spread into
the intestinal wall and to other sites, a malignant or cancerous tumor
develops. Most colorectal cancers develop first as colorectal polyps, which
are growths inside the colon or rectum that may later become cancerous.
In 2004, an estimated 147,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed, and 57,000 Americans will die from the disease.
About Dara Torres
Dara Torres is the first American to swim in four Olympics (1984, 1988,
1992 and 2000) and the second-most decorated U.S. female Olympian, with
nine Olympic
medals. Dara recently served as an NBC correspondent for the 2004 Summer
Olympics in Athens, Greece. After her father was diagnosed with colorectal
cancer in 2001, she became actively involved in his treatment and education.
She is committed to raising awareness about colorectal cancer and the critical
role of family and friends in confronting the disease.
About the Colon Cancer
Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national patient-advocacy organization
dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. The CCA
brings the voice of survivors to battle colorectal cancer through patient
support,
education, research and advocacy. In order to achieve these goals, the
CCA hereby declares war on colorectal cancer. Today, CCA has over 9,000
members,
including colon and rectal cancer survivors, their families, caregivers,
people genetically predisposed to the disease and the medical community.
About
the Yale Cancer Center
Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 38 comprehensive cancer
centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute and the
only one in Southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New
Haven Hospital and the Yale University School of Medicine, its mission
encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community
outreach
and education. For more information, visit http://info.med.yale.edu/ycc/.
Roots of Support in CRC is made possible through the generosity of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and ImClone Systems Incorporated. Copyright © 2005. All rights reserved.
