Katie Couric to launch new citywide campaign for colon cancer screenings

In honor of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Katie Couric, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, WCBS-TV and The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital will launch the "Make That Call" for colon cancer screening campaign.

Also collaborating on this citywide initiative are the Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition (C5), New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), American Cancer Society, Colon Cancer Alliance, Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation and Prevent Cancer Foundation.

From March 1 to March 14, the campaign will urge New Yorkers ages 50 and older to call their doctors and make an appointment to be screened for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and in New York City. "Make That Call" will include public service announcements on WCBS-TV with CBS News anchor and managing editor Katie Couric, "The Doctors" host Dr. Travis Stork and WCBS-TV medical reporter Dr. Max Gomez.

To support this message, interactive educational posters will be displayed and will feature the city's 311 number as well as barcodes that allow smartphone users to connect to www.MakeThatCall.org. Participating businesses and organizations include the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and the Queens Library; Duane Reade; Juva Skin & Laser Center/MediSpa; New York Health & Racquet Club; and Talbots.

WHO:
Katie Couric, CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor
Dr. Mark B. Pochapin, Director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Corinne M. Meli, M.P.H., Acting Director of Cancer Prevention and Control Program of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Dr. Herbert Pardes, President and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 1 at 10:15 a.m.

WHERE:
The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, NY-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell
1315 York Avenue, Ground Level