ACS programs selected for Michigan Cancer Consortium Spirit of Collaboration Award
Detroit’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network (CRAN), and Body & Soul program have been recognized by the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC) with the 2009 MCC Spirit of Collaboration Award. The two ACS programs were selected for their impressive collaborative efforts, and the contribution they have made to cancer control in Michigan.
MCC is a statewide, broad-based partnership that strives to include all interested public and private organizations providing a forum for collaboration - communication, coordination, and the sharing of resources - to reduce the burden of cancer among the citizens of Michigan.
Every year since 2001, the Michigan Cancer Consortium has presented its highest honor - the MCC Spirit of Collaboration Award - to member organizations that have done outstanding collaborative work to significantly move comprehensive cancer control activities forward within the state. The awards will be presented at the MCC Annual Meeting on November 12.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network (CRAN )
While there are three CRAN groups that represent the tri-county area of Detroit, they all decided to come together to collaborate on one outreach effort for the month of March, in hopes of having a bigger impact on the community at large. An opportunity arose to bring the Colossal Colon® to Detroit in March 2009, in recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; it was an ideal project for CRAN to take on.
Feedback from CRAN members, visitors and volunteers, and Detroit Science Center staff was overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors spoke about the personal impact of the event including needing to talk to their health care providers about getting screened, having family health history discussions, or increasing their fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity levels.
For more information on the Society’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network’s Detroit Colossal Colon educational event, visit www.detroitcolossalcolon.com.
BODY & SOUL
 Body & Soul is an evidence based wellness program that ACS has been implementing for the past four years. It is designed especially for the African American church, encouraging congregants to consume more fruits and vegetables, and increase their physical activity.
Collaborating churches put on health-related activities throughout the year. There are currently over 140 churches in our Division that implement Body & Soul. It has been proven that no matter the size of the church, Body & Soul is successful. This year, over 60 churches also participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events, indicating the integration of Body & Soul to other ACS programs and activities.
Body & Soul churches throughout the division will also be conducting "Pink Teas" through the Tell A Friend program this year, to encourage more African American women to get their annual mammogram. For more information on the Body & Soul program, visit www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov.
Pictured: Above right - Colossal Colon® at the Detroit Science Center; Bottom right - Body & Soul
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