Whether it’s a preventative health screening or caring for a serious disease, taking care of our whole selves is important for all Americans. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access or resources available to care in large part due to systemic racism.
This National Minority Health Month, SOME is pleased to share that we have been named a partner in Cottonelle x BLKHLTH’s “Good Down There” initiative to screen Black adults for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Americans. Black Americans have a 20% higher incidence of colorectal cancer, and a 40% higher death rate compared to White Americans. But, if caught and treated early, colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate.
As a brand committed to “downtherecare,” Cottonelle® has partnered with BLKHLTH ® to provide educational resources and complimentary colorectal cancer screenings and financial assistance to Black people to help decrease barriers to care, increase access to needed resources, and reduce the stigma around colorectal cancer.
To help achieve this goal, Cottonelle has donated $750,000 and partnered with BLKHLTH, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce the impact of racism on Black health through education and action. As BLKHLTH’s partner in the District, SOME will distribute at least 500 screening kits to at-risk adults that visit our Medical Clinic and other crucial services.