Hitting Cancer Below the Belt

Early Detection Service and Prevention Education: HCB2 increased their medical center partnerships from nine free clinic and community health center sites to eleven sites in 2022. HCB2 funds colorectal cancer screening to medically underserved and uninsured individuals across Virginia. HCB2 purchases FIT screening kits for patients and testing strips for medical staff to facilitate the screening of patients. Educational resources for clinics and their patients are also provided as well as staff training and technical support. Over 4,200 patients have been screened in a timely manner for colorectal cancer since the program's inception in 2017 due to HCB2's Free Clinic FIT Screening program.

Reaching Younger Population: Hitting Cancer Below the Belt's Junior Board consisting of high school students from six area high schools continues to meet monthly. The Junior Board members are interested in educating and inspiring their peers and community in an effort to improve colon health and prevent young people's diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The members help in the planning, creation of content, and marketing of messages and activities to better reach the Generation Z community. This generation of young people are 2x more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 4x more likely to be diagnosed with rectal cancer. Research reveals by 2030 colorectal cancer will be the number one cause of cancer death in the 20-39 year old population. To prevent this disease, awareness needs to be raised, education must be given, and proactive lifestyle behaviors must be engaged. High school students are equipped to reach their peers in unique ways and the Junior Crew is an asset to HCB2. The students also receive numerous benefits which include obtaining community service hours, pride in giving back to the community, opportunities to shadow Board members, becoming educated about colon health, and becoming a stand out on college applications. In addition, HCB2 has been able to visit schools with their large inflatable colon during outdoor evening athletic games to stimulate gut health conversations and distribute educational resources.

Colon Health Education and Support Services: HCB2 continues to provide education and resources through both in-person and virtual events in partnership with community groups and employers. Thousands have been educated either directly or virtually through our "Can We Talk?" presentations and appearances with our popular and entertaining large inflatable colon. Providing various educational resources to engage people in a deeper level of conversation about colon health and help people move from awareness to action is a large focus of our community education. HCB2 continues to provide Healing Belly Basket delivery to cancer patients and survivors. A travel-sized, mail- friendly version of the basket was also created to deliver educational support and resources to patients and survivors outside of the delivery service area. Over 200 baskets and travel-sized versions have been provided to those in need. The basket includes information about each nutritional item, each of which is shown through research to increase gut health, boost the immune system, and contribute to overall health and wellbeing. In addition, we continue to include the HCB2 "anti- inflammatory" grocery list in the baskets. The grocery list is also distributed at community presentations, and the information is downloadable on the HCB2.org website. After completing cancer treatment, patients are left with little information about how to support their health through every day nutritional choices. The nutritional education efforts delivered through the HCB2 Healing Belly Basket program helps to provide restoration and wellness.