Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Super Colon, a walk-through interactive educational tool traveling across America with the message that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable, will be featured at the McDonough District Hospital Cancer Education Expo Wednesday, April 22. Participants will be able to walk through a giant inflatable colon to learn about colon cancer at the free Cancer Education Expo to be held from 5:00-8:00 PM at Fellheimer Auditorium, located at the Macomb Jr/Sr High School, 1525 South Johnson Road.

The Super Colon is sponsored by Illinois CancerCare in memory of Terry Mershon of Macomb. Terry’s family designated memorial contributions to the Peoria Cancer Center Foundation to be used to educate people about early detection screening of colon cancer. The Peoria Cancer Center Foundation was established in 2002 by physicians from Illinois CancerCare, including Medical Oncologists, Michael Veeder, MD, and Diane Prager, MD, with the sole purpose of underwriting research, education, and awareness for cancer. Drs. Veeder and Prager see patients in Macomb on the campus of McDonough District Hospital each week.

The Cancer Education Expo will also feature presentations by local physicians on colorectal, cervical, and skin cancers; free health screenings for sun damage, bone density, and oral cancer; free home fecal occult blood test kits; one-on-one interaction with medical professionals; more than 20 exhibits by MDH departments and community organizations; and games, door prizes, and refreshments. In addition, Miss Macomb 2009, Erin O’Conner, will share her personal experience with skin cancer, and a special dedication will be made to cancer survivors who attend.

The community is invited to attend the free Cancer Education Expo to learn more about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, contact the MDH Outreach Services department at (309) 836-1584.