Dunn resident Keilah Goff will be one of 24 people featured in a new awareness campaign, “No Excuses,” launching in New York City’s Times Square in March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Goff was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer when she was age 51 and was selected to become an Ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), the country’s leading colorectal cancer advocacy organization. The campaign will appear in New York City during the first week in March. Goff’s story will also be featured on Fight CRC’s Facebook page.
Colon and rectal (colorectal) cancers make up the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women combined. Sixty percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented with screening.
Goff has dedicated a year of volunteer time to Fight CRC to raise awareness of the importance of screening using her personal story in an effort to save lives.
“I fight for myself, everyone who currently fights, and all who could face a colorectal cancer diagnosis in the future. I want to educate the public on good health and dietary habits, and proper screening to avoid the disease. I became an ambassador to support research, encourage other patients to fight, and provide information on the best treatments available. I don’t want anyone else facing the devastating diagnosis I was given three years ago,” said Goff.
Her story is one of many stories launching the annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign, a movement uniting over one million survivors of colorectal cancer and their loved ones to get behind a cure and prevent future cases with screening.
Research has shown that personal stories are one of the most effective motivators when it comes to getting people screened for colon and rectal cancers. Goff’s story will help debunk the myths around colorectal cancer and encourage those delaying screening to drop the excuses.
“Each year, Fight CRC selects a group of Ambassadors from across the country to represent our community year-round, and especially during March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight CRC. “These Ambassadors bravely rally to raise awareness for this disease. We are certain that their stories will resonate with people and provoke them to look past the excuses and get screened.”
In a study conducted by Fight Colorectal Cancer and Komodo Health, results showed that COVID-19 has delayed and postponed colorectal cancer screening. According to Clinical Oncology News, delays in colorectal cancer screenings during the coronavirus pandemic will result in a 12% increase in cancer deaths over the next five years.
This March, it’s critical that patients learn that colorectal cancer is preventable, that there are safe screening options, and that now is the time to talk to a doctor about when and how to be screened, especially for all patients 45 years and older.
Be a relentless champion in the fight against colorectal cancer and give hope to all of those in the fight for their lives. Visit FightCRC.org to learn how.
-Dunn Daily Record
