March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month. Colorectal Cancer is often preventable and treatable, and screening can save lives. Yet, screening is underutilized, particularly among African Americans, who continue to bear an unjust Colorectal Cancer burden.
March 6, 2020
UPDATE: Screenings have been postponed until further notice.
Starting on March 12, 2020, a team of Michigan State University public health practitioners is teaming up with the American Cancer Society and Greater Holy Temple Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) to distribute free take-home screening kits to Flint-area residents.
Thanks to Ascension-Genesys Hospital and Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint, these lifesaving screening kits will be handed out for free. Flint-area residents can stop by every Thursday morning and afternoon during R. L. Jones Community Outreach Center’s (COC) weekly Help Center food and bottled water distribution on the Campus of Great Holy Temple Church.
When: Free screening kits will be available from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, every Thursday starting on March 12, 2020. The program is expected to run through the end of April.
Where: Campus, Greater Holy Temple (COGIC), 6702 Dort Hwy, Flint, MI 48505
Who: Flint-area residents
“It is our goal to remove barriers and get as many people screened in Flint as possible,” said Todd Lucas, PhD, associate professor, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Division of Public Health. “Many of us do not think about Colorectal Cancer unless a loved one has been diagnosed. And until recently, many people are not aware that convenient at-home screening kits are a viable option.”
“Outreach and partnership with trusted leaders and organizations will be key ingredients to eliminating colorectal cancer injustice in our community,” added Kent Key, PhD, a Flint native and also a faculty member of the Division of Public Health.
This screening kit delivery approach offers a unique and convenient opportunity for Flint-area residents to get screened at no cost. Screening kits can be picked up on the Campus of Greater Holy Temple (COGIC), completed, and mailed from the comfort of home. All needed enrollment, communication, and coordination will be provided by the Michigan State University Division of Public Health and its partners.
The R. L. Jones COC has offered the Help Center as a resource to the Flint Community since 2016, in response to the Flint Water Crisis, on the Campus of Greater Holy Temple (COGIC).
Bishop Roger Jones, Sr. and his wife, First Lady Sandra Jones (Mother Jones), are Colorectal Cancer advocates. Bishop Jones is a colorectal cancer survivor for more than a decade, which he credits to Colorectal Cancer Screening that he and his wife undertook after watching a television program about the importance of getting screened.
“If I had not been tested, I might not be alive today,” stated Bishop Jones. “It is my goal to share my story with the community that I love in the hopes of inspiring action. I am personally asking people to take the time to get screened. It is important! Mother Jones and I are here to support your spiritual and physical health. We are here to help you find hope for a better future. And for us, a better future includes good health.”
Participation in the at-home colorectal cancer screening kits is voluntary, and residents can opt to participate in the privacy of their own homes.
Find the answers you need about Colorectal Cancer from the American Cancer Society at cancer.org/cancer.
Watch: Free Colorectal Cancer Screening At Greater Holy Temple from The Colorectal Cancer Study on Vimeo.
About Michigan State University Division of Public Health
Established in March 2015, the MSU College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health addresses both immediate and long-term public health needs of Flint residents. With the support of $60+ million in external funding, emphasis is on health disparities and health equity solutions. Spartans work side-by-side with community partners and health care providers to encourage healthy behaviors, mitigate chronic diseases, identify environmental health risks, and examine the social factors that influence community health.
For MSU Public Health news, go to MSU Public Health News. Follow MSU Public Health on Facebook at facebook.com/MSUPublicHealth and Twitter at twitter.com/MSUPubHealth.
About American Cancer Society (ACS)
Established in 1913, The ACS is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. The ACS mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. ACS invests in cancer research, patient support, prevention information and education, and detection and treatment. ACS currently supports 22 active grants at Michigan institutions totaling nearly $11 million.
About Greater Holy Temple of God in Christ (COGIC)
The COGIC Ministries of Deliverance was created by the National COGIC Church. It is a ministry designed to foster deliverance, healing, and restoration in the lives of those who are suffering from brokenness, addiction, suicide, and other problems that often lead to hopelessness and tragedy. Greater Holy Temple COGIC was the launching pad for the national model for all COGIC churches. It serves as the template and primary resource for training and direction.
