National colorectal cancer awareness month
Wear blue, raise funds. Easy.
What? Dress in Blue Day lets allies everywhere join our mission to end colorectal cancer. By wearing blue and raising funds, you bring awareness to this disease and support our work—as well as honor all who are impacted by colorectal cancer.
When? Supporters can go blue any day in March, with Dress in Blue Day officially observed on Friday, March 1. The time for awareness is now. How will you wear blue?
Why? Every year, more than 140,000 people are diagnosed with this highly preventable disease. They will join more than 1.4 million colorectal cancer patients and survivors living today. We go blue for them, their families, and their community.
How fundraising works
Fundraising for Dress in Blue Day—and throughout March—is easy! All you need is the will and a webpage, which we create for you when you fill out this form. The website lets you and your supporters see how much you’ve raised, share your fundraiser on social media, read your story, and more. By creating your own fundraiser, you become a DIYnamo among our nation of allies!
Here are some more tips:
Think blue and beyond: You want to help, but how? Any way you’d like! You can organize a Dress in Blue Day event—everyone wears blue and donates $5 (or more!) to the cause—or something else. You could try a chili cook-off, karaoke night, or even a corn hole tournament!
Build a webpage: A webpage makes your fundraiser accessible, transparent, and easier for friends, family, and co-workers to support your cause. The best part is it’s created automatically when you start your own fundraiser.
Spread the word: Share your event through social networks, local businesses, texting your friends, and making the webpage. Make sure people know it's something that really matters to you by sharing your personal story.
Break out the blue: It's event day! Time to host your family, friends, and coworkers to fundraise for your cause and make a difference in the lives of others. You can even print out these informational resources to help educate attendees.
Send thanks: Don't forget to thank everyone who made your event possible. From vendors to donors to volunteers, everyone plays a role in making your event a smashing success!
How did Dress in Blue Day begin?
It all began with Anita Mitchell, Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer and Colon Cancer Stars founder. Anita, who was battling stage IV colorectal cancer and lost a close friend and father to the disease, saw a need to bring greater awareness to a cancer not many people wanted to discuss.
In 2006, she worked with her children’s school to coordinate a recognition day with incredible success. In 2009, Anita brought the Dress in Blue Day concept to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Together, we took the program nationwide!
Questions on how to get more involved?
Contact Jordan Winn, Manager of Individual Giving at jwinn@ccalliance.org or (202) 207-0246.