Hitting Cancer Below the Belt
5th Annual Blue Gene Bash
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2) will hold its 5th Annual Blue Gene Bash for colorectal cancer prevention on November 11, 2021. The event is back at Steam Bell Beer Works starting at 6:00 p.m.
We encourage guests to dazzle up that denim and get the bling on to help shine light on efforts to prevent colorectal cancer - our nation’s second deadliest cancer. The evening includes live music, travel opportunities, and prizes including cash! The Blue Gene Bash is HCB2’s signature end of the year “party with a purpose” where we celebrate and share HCB2’s work throughout the state of Virginia. Tickets available NOW! https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/BlueGeneBash
Your support and attendance helps to advance our mission of providing cancer education, screening, and patient/caregiver support in order to create environments where cancer is challenged to survive.
The evening will feature:
- musical entertainment by the Patrick Oliver Band,
- a delicious dinner provided by Deep Run Roadhouse,
- a selection of cold beverages from Steam Bell Beer Works,
- an array of bucket list VACATIONS on the online auction, and
- all the excitement of the final bidding countdown and prize winner announcements.
Join HCB2 and leave with prizes, trips, and/or cash from the Blue Gene Bash!
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2) is the only grass-roots nonprofit in Virginia, serving Virginia, south of the District of Columbia.
Contact info@HCB2.org for more information about our work or questions about the Blue Gene Bash.
Executive Director: Melinda Conklin, MS, MEd Program Manager: Renee Malone, MPH
Breaking the Silence Surrounding Colorectal Cancer
- Silent symptoms - Sometimes, the symptoms of colorectal cancer can be silent. Many people are diagnosed after only having “common” symptoms, like bloating, or without experiencing any symptoms at all. “I didn’t know [my husband] had symptoms. I don’t think he knew he had symptoms,” Mindy said. “Yet there he was, diagnosed at the age of 41 at stage 4 with nine tumors on his liver and two on his lung. He never drank and he never smoked… He had no family history.”
- Patient silence - Patients are often hesitant to talk about symptoms they might be experiencing, or disregard them altogether. Frankly, many people do not talk about the disease because of the area of the body where it occurs. The lack of conversation translates into missed opportunities for screening and misinformation.
- Doctor silence - Research shows that doctors aren’t recommending screening nearly as much as they should or educating patients about the disease at all. Many patients are fearful or anxious to get a colonoscopy and, because their doctors aren’t giving them information, they don’t know their options.
