Why do we Dress in Blue on March 5th?

This year, more than 151,000 people will be diagnosed with this highly preventable disease. They will join more than 1.5 million colorectal cancer patients and survivors living today. We go blue for them, their families, and their community.

Dress in Blue Day lets communities communicate our mission to stop colorectal cancer. By wearing blue and raising funds, you increase awareness of this epidemic and further our work— as well as honor all who are affected by colorectal cancer.

So, how will you dress in blue? Show us by posting a picture and tagging the Colon Cancer Task Force on Facebook or @coloncancertask on Instagram. Also, be sure to use the #DressinBlueNE so we can share your photos as well!

Thanks to colon cancer screening, the death rate for colon cancer has been declining, and the Task Force hopes to see this continue through their awareness efforts.

How Did Dress In Blue Day Begin?

It all began with Anita Mitchell, Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer, Never Too Young Advisory Board member, 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!