Payne, Jr. Joins American Cancer Society, Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. at Colorectal Cancer Pledge Signing Event

Newark, N.J. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) today joined the American Cancer Society and Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. as the organizations announced their commitment to 80% by 2018, a national initiative to increase colorectal cancer screening rates to 80% by 2018.

Also attending the event, which took place at Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. in Irvington, were Dr. Pamela Clarke, President & CEO, Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.; Tony Vauss, Mayor, City of Irvington; Dr. Monique Griffith, Health Director, City of Irvington; and Jim McGovern, Senior Vice President, Eastern Division, American Cancer Society.

“Having lost my father too early in life to colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the seriousness of this disease and the importance of early detection,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10). “Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and treatable—but you have to catch it early. By increasing awareness and screening rates, we can save thousands of lives in New Jersey, keeping families whole and our communities strong. That is why I am proud to endorse the 80% by 2018 Initiative and pledge to do all that I can to help achieve this goal to prevent and eliminate colorectal cancer.”

According to the American Cancer Society, the percentage of New Jersey adults age 50 and older who are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening stood at 63.1 percent in 2012. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States when men and women are combined, even though it is largely preventable thanks to effective screening tools.

Congressman Payne, Jr. has been a leader in the U.S. House of Representatives in the fight against colorectal cancer. He is the lead Democratic co-sponsor of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 1220), which eliminates financial obstacles to life-saving colorectal cancer screenings for individuals on fixed incomes by waiving cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries. Congressman Payne, Jr. also introduced a House resolution to designate March 2016 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Additionally, following a request from Congressman Payne, Jr., President Obama issued a proclamation in 2014 designating March 2014 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The proclamation was reissued in 2015 and in 2016.

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