For the second year in a row, GI Associates has won two SCOPY Awards! The winner of each SCOPY (Service Award for Colorectal Cancer Outreach, Prevention & Year-Round Excellence) is selected by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for outstanding achievement in the fight against colorectal cancer.
Each year colorectal cancer (CRC) claims the lives of an estimated 50,000 Americans; fortunately, new cases of this devastating disease have been in decline in recent years in large part because of the excellent outreach and awareness campaigns of gastroenterology facilities like GI Associates.
In 2019, the ACG recognized 31 “awareness champions” for a variety of achievements like increasing awareness of CRC, demonstrating engagement with the local community, and providing easier access to CRC screening services. GI Associates was honored with two of these awards: “Most Vibrant Community Event” and the “SCOPY Service Award.”
Most Vibrant Community Event
Earlier this year, GI Associates hosted their second annual Guts and Butts 5K race, a fun community outreach event aimed at increasing CRC awareness. Over 400 people (including 40 cancer survivors) donned foam butts and running shoes to use a little light-hearted humor to celebrate survivors and raise funds for ongoing CRC screening efforts in Mississippi. Through the SCOPY Award, the ACG acknowledged that GI Associates was able to “use ‘cheeky’ humor to start a discussion about colorectal cancer awareness.”
SCOPY Service Award
GI Associates’ annual “GiveBack Saturday” also received recognition from the ACG this year for dedicating “manpower and facility resources to help those without adequate medical insurance coverage.” The GiveBack program aims to increase CRC awareness and community health by making it easier for local primary care physicians to provide colonoscopies to patients who can’t afford the procedure. On that GiveBack Saturday in March, GI Associates was able to provide screens for nearly 50 people!
CRC Awareness and Prevention
As one of the most common types of cancer in the United States, colorectal cancer often doesn’t get the same attention and resources as other forms of cancer. GI Associates and all the other SCOPY Award winners this year are dedicated to increasing awareness and prevention through community outreach. Contact GI Associates for more information about CRC screening options and procedures.
Share
