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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

Last month, the world was shocked to learn of the tragic passing of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who passed away at the young age of 43. While the hearts of many are broken over this loss, the colon cancer community holds onto hope that Boseman’s death will bring more awareness and, ultimately, save lives from the second highest cancer killer in the US.

Hitting Cancer Below the Belt's, also known as HCB2, goal is to increase conversations about colorectal cancer through their “Eat Clean, Get Screened” initiative. HCB2 is dedicated to educating the public on how critical gut health is to preventing not only colon cancer, but other diseases as well. On the “Get Screened” side, they fund colorectal cancer screening programs for five free clinics around Richmond and three community health centers north of Richmond offering cancer prevention services. They aim to inform the community through educational programs. 

When asked about the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, Hitting Cancer Below the Belt Executive Director Mindy Conkin responded, “I hate to use a tragic loss to wake people up, but we need to.” After fighting for 16 months, Conkin’s husband, Rich, also passed away from this deadly disease at the age of 43. This sparked the formation of Hitting Cancer Below the Belt, Inc.

What makes colorectal cancer so destructive? Conklin believes silence surrounding the disease allows for it. She explains three areas of silence.
  1. 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.”
  2. 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.  
  3. 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.  

Learn More
Learn about HCB2’s services and resources on their website, HCB2.org. To get involved in the near future, HCB2 invites you to join them on Zoom for the fourth annual “Blue Gene Bash” on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 from 6:00-7:30pm. This year’s bash will include a talent contest, auction, entertainment, and cash prizes.

HCB2 is a non-profit organization and relies solely on donations to operate. To donate directly to HCB2, please click here.
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