I'm so blue! Central Avenue goes blue to promote cancer awareness

To help raise awareness about colon cancer, blue dresses will decorate the windows of the GreatFinds Thrift Boutique on Washington Avenue during the month of March. GreatFinds and several other Central Avenue district businesses are participating in Main Streets Go Blue, a program of the Cancer Services Program of Albany and Rensselaer.

If you're seeing blue this March, we're glad. March is colon cancer awareness month, and to raise awareness, streets across the country are turning blue. Blue is the universally recognized color for colon cancer and businesses up and down Central are stringing blue lights, putting up blue posters, and distributing referral forms for interested customers. 

"Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the US, but it doesn’t have to be. Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable when caught early through screening," says Christie Ray-Marchetti, Outreach and Education Manager for the Albany and Rensselaer County Cancer Services Program. The Cancer Services Program provides information and support as well as free screening for colon cancer to the uninsured. 

During the month of March, the program will hold three screening events on Central Avenue:

• Albany Career Central, 175 Central Avenue in Albany, 3/11 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Armory Bus Plus Station, at 194 Washington Avenue in Albany, 3/22 4-5:30 p.m
• West Mall Bus Plus Station, at 855 Central Avenue in Albany, 3/25 4-5:30 p.m

During these screening events, staff from the Cancer Services Program will be distributing information and free take-home screening kits to those who qualify. 

This year, DePaula Chevrolet, A. Phillips Hardware, Danker Florist, and GreatFinds Thrift Boutique will be participating in Main Streets Go Blue by decorating their businesses, wearing pins, putting up posters, and distributing information. The Cancer Services Program will also install banners at the Hannaford Plaza and ShopRite Plaza. 

The Central Avenue Business Improvement District has purchased posters that will be installed on Big Belly trashcans up and down the Avenue. 

Please also look for stories on cancer screenings in the Times Union and on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. 

Who's at risk for colon cancer? Everyone age 50 years of age and older is encouraged to get screened.

For more information about how your business can participate or to learn about the free screenings for colon, pelvic, ovarian and breast cancers, please contact Ray-Marchetti at (518) 220-6928.or via email at Christie.ray-marchetti@cancer.org