Blue Ribbon Bash To Be Hosted by WMMC

Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) will host the Blue Ribbon Bash, a colorectal cancer awareness event on Thursday, March 30 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the MKi Pavilion (107 Ming St.) in Warrensburg.

This free event is designed to provide information about preventing colon cancer, and will include vendor booths, giveaways and educational information. Dr. Amira Ghazali will host an informational program beginning at 7 p.m., which will feature guest speaker WMMC family physician and endoscopist Dr. Jason Snowden.

As part of WMMC's recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, individuals who sign up for a colonoscopy in March and complete their screening within 90 days of the Blue Ribbon Bash will be eligible to win cash prizes of up to $500.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 106,970 new cases of colon cancer will be identified in 2023 and will cause approximately 52,550 deaths.

A colorectal cancer screening test such as a colonoscopy can detect cancer in individuals who have no symptoms. Regular screening increases the chances of detecting colorectal cancer early before it has a chance to spread.

Colonoscopies for individuals 45 or older are covered by most insurance providers. To learn more about the event and to sign up for a colonoscopy, visit wmmc.com/blueribbon or call (660) 747-5558.