BANNOCKBURN, Ill. – As part of the 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the Colon Cancer Coalition was named as the recipient of the 2021 ASCRS Jagelman Award which honors the memory of Dr. David Jagelman whose advocacy for his patients at the Cleveland Clincic was legendary.
 
In 2004, Kristin Lindquist started planning for the very first Get Your Rear in Gear® run after losing her best friend and sister, Susie Lindquist Mjelde, to colon cancer. What started as one women’s vision has since grown into the Minneapolis-based Colon Cancer Coalition, a national coalition of people determined to end colorectal cancer deaths by increasing screening and educating others about the signs and symptoms of colon cancer.  The Coalition wants all people to understand their risk factors and get the right screening at the right time.
 
Their signature Get Your Rear in Gear® and Tour de Tush® event series are volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. In 2017 alone they granted over $1 million to local community programs to raise screening rates, increase awareness, and educate the public about the signs and symptoms of this disease.
 
"We are honored and humbled to be recognized by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons with The Jagelman Award," says Chris Evans, president of the Colon Cancer Coalition. "We are proud of the work we do focused on increasing screening for colorectal cancer through grassroots awareness efforts and targeted screening programs for the under and uninsured populations, minority and other at-risk and underserved communities, and feel privileged to have it highlighted in this way."
 
Dr. Jagelman founded and directed the Cleveland Clinic Familial Polyposis Registry and became chair of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida shortly before he died of Kidney Cancer at age 53 in 1993. 
 
“Dr. Jagelman was a strong supporter of screening and Colon Cancer prevention,” says Dr. Michael Arvanitis, Chair of the Jagelman Award. “He would be proud to see this award presented to the Colon Cancer Coalition, an organization that has grown from one woman's vision with grassroots volunteerism, into a national coalition of people determined to end colorectal cancer deaths by increasing screening and educating others about the signs and symptoms of this disease.”
 
As recipient of the Jagelman Award, the Colon Cancer Coalition will receive a $1,000 honorarium.
 
About ASCRS
The 4,000+ member American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is the premier society for colon and rectal surgeons and other surgeons dedicated to advancing and promoting the science and practice of the treatment of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. Its board-certified colon and rectal surgeons complete a residency in general surgery, plus an additional year in colon and rectal surgery, and pass an intensive examination conducted by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.  For more information, visit www.fascrs.org.
 
 
Media Contact (ASCRS)                  Media Contact (Colon Cancer Coalition)
Stuart Meyer                                       Erin Peterson | Director of Mission & Partnerships
[email protected]                              [email protected]
847-607-6427                                      952-378-1237