March 04, 2016
Outreach Efforts Focus on Education, Awareness and Prevention
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 4, 2016) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), the American Cancer Society (the Society), and the Cancer Services Program (CSP) are encouraging everyone to get on board with colon cancer screenings. From March 7-March 11, volunteers will be riding select CDTA routes throughout the Capital Region to share information on a test that could save your life.
“We are happy to continue this partnership with CSP and the ACS during Colorectal Cancer Awareness month,” said David M. Stackrow, CDTA Chairman of the Board. “Getting screened is critically important when it comes to maintaining good health and we are happy to connect more people to screenings in an effort to help save more lives.”
As part of the increased outreach efforts, colorectal cancer awareness posters are displayed at select CDTA shelters with the message, “Preventable. Beatable. Treatable.” along with contact information on how to get screened for free.
“While a combination of earlier detection and better treatments have yielded a steady decline in the colorectal cancer death rate over the past 20 years, more than 1 in 3 adults in the United States who fall within recommended screening guidelines are still not being tested for colorectal cancer. That means the risk continues, and people who need treatment may not be getting it,” said Darcy Czajka with the American Cancer Society. “The good news is that screening can help find and prevent colorectal cancer. Thanks to this partnership with CDTA and CSP, more adults in the Capital Region will have the opportunity to receive a potentially life-saving screening.”
CDTA customers and the general public are invited to talk with CSP staff about colorectal cancer prevention with the option of picking up a free screening kit for those that qualify. Women aged 40 and older that qualify, can also schedule appointments for breast and cervical cancer screening. Anyone who completes cancer screenings through the Cancer Services Program will receive a free CDTA day pass while supplies last.
“The Cancer Services Program and myself are thankful for the community partnership we have formed with ACS and CDTA during Colorectal Cancer Awareness month," said Kelsey Sargood CSP Education and Outreach Specialist. “Many lives can be saved each year if we come together as a community and spread the word about how important getting your screening is. Colorectal Cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable.”
For more information about colon cancer screenings, visit www.cspofalbandren.com or call (518) 525-8680.
For more information regarding CDTA services, visit www.cdta.org or contact CDTA’s Customer Information Center at 482-8822. Customer service operators are on duty 6am-7pm weekdays and 8:00am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-5pm on Sundays and holidays. To stay connected with CDTA’s latest initiatives, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CDTAiride or follow us on Twitter (@CDTA).
ABOUT CDTA: The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was created in 1970 by the New York State Legislature as a public benefit corporation to provide regional transportation services by rail, bus, water and air. CDTA provides local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit services throughout the Capital Region. CDTA owns and operates the Rensselaer Rail and Saratoga Springs Train Stations. 650 people work at CDTA to deliver a transit system that serves 60,000 customers each weekday.