When is Dress in Blue Day? National Dress in Blue Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of March. In 2016, the 8th Annual National Dress in Blue Day will be on Friday, March 4th. If that day doesn't work for you, don't worry! You can hold a Dress in Blue Day fundraiser or event any time in March!

What is it?
The Colon Cancer Alliance first launched the National Dress in Blue Day program in 2009 to bring national attention to colon cancer and to celebrate the courage of those affected by this disease. Today, individuals, businesses and community groups across the country participate in National Dress in Blue Day by wearing blue and encouraging others to do the same. By "going blue," we hope to raise public awareness and educate people on the facts about colon cancer and how they can reduce their risk of the disease. Get involved!

Who is the Colon Cancer Alliance?
The Colon Cancer Alliance was created in 1999 out of the need to promote public awareness about colon cancer and provide support for those affected by the disease. We've now grown to become the leading colon cancer patient advocacy group in the country. Our vision is for a world free of colon cancer where education, early detection and treatment lead to survivorship for all. With that vision in front of us, we're working tirelessly to knock colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers. We are doing this by championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services.

How did Dress in Blue Day start?
It all began with Anita Mitchell, a stage IV colon cancer survivor who had lost a close friend and her father to the disease. Ms. Mitchell saw a need to bring greater awareness to a cancer not many people wanted to discuss. What started in her child's classroom in 2006 is now a nationally-recognized event where individuals across the country unite to celebrate and honor those who have battled this disease and work to knock it out of the top three cancer killers for good. Learn more about how it got started.

Why blue?
Similar to breast cancer's pink ribbon, the nationally-recognized blue star represents the eternal memory of the people whose lives have been lost to the disease and the shining hope for a future free of colon cancer.

Where does the money go?
Proceeds raised through National Dress in Blue Day fundraising efforts support the Colon Cancer Alliance's mission to knock out colon cancer. We're committed to using our financial resources to the absolute best benefit of our members. As a testament to this, we're proud to have received a 4-star Charity Navigator rating for five consecutive years, an honor less than 1% of charities in the country can claim.

Why should I create an online fundraising webpage?
By creating a Dress in Blue Day webpage, you'll gain access to free resources and can get started with your fundraising efforts fast. It's free to sign up and there's no fundraising minimum. Once you've signed up, check out our free resources and learn how you can utilize our templates to spread the word about your efforts!

Why do we need to raise awareness about colon cancer?
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. But it doesn't have to be this way; through screening, it is one of the most preventable diseases.


*These statistics were compiled from the American Cancer Society's Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2014-2016. Read more statistics.