40-Foot Crawl-Through Colon May Be Coming Your Way

The Colossal Colon, a 40-foot long, 4-foot high crawl-through replica of a human colon, began a 20-city educational tour with a first stop in Chapel Hill, NC.

Visitors who crawl through the lifelike colon, or look through the viewing windows, will see healthy colon tissue, colon disease, polyps and various stages of colon cancer.

The Colossal Colon is the creation of Molly McMaster, a 26-year-old cancer survivors, with help and support from the clinical and educational staff of the C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, NY. The Colon is dedicated to the memory of Molly's friend, Amanda Sherwood Roberts, who lost her battle with colon cancer at age 27.

"The Colossal Colon Tour provides a unique opportunity to educate Americans about colorectal cancer -- which is 90 percent preventable," said Carolyn Aldige, president and founder of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. "After experiencing the Colossal Colon, we hope visitors will take the pledge to talk about colorectal cancer with their health care professionals."

In the months ahead, the Colossal Colon can be viewed at:

Washington, D.C. March 5 through 8
Location: Freedom Plaza

Atlanta, Ga. March 19 through 22
Location: Robert W. Woodruff Park

Miami, Fla. April 2 through 5
Location: Lummus Park, South Beach

Little Rock, Ark. April 16 through 19
Location: Rivermarket Pavillion

Dallas, Texas April 23 through 26
Location: City Hall Plaza

Houston, Texas May 7 through 10
Location: John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science

Chicago, Ill. May 21 though 24
Location: Pioneer Court

Chicago, Ill. May 31 through June 3 (39th American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting)

Later in the year, the Colossal Colon will be visiting Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston and New York.

Other Sources: Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation