Wow - welcome to 2019! I hope you and your family were able to rest and enjoy the holidays, and are looking forward to a new year. We at GCCCF are excited to begin 2019, and are heavily involved in final preparations for the Rump Run, which is only a little over two months away! If you and your family haven't already made plans to attend this wonderful event, you should - it's Chattanooga's only event for colon cancer awareness! There are also some new things we are excited to be introducing in 2019 - stay tuned throughout the year to see what those are! Thank you for partnering with us on our journey to spread the message that colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable, and that colonoscopies save lives!
In good health,
Kayse Rigsby
Executive Director
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee recently published a report stating that Tennessee has the 26th highest incidence rate for colorectal cancer nationally, but the 11th highest death rate. Sadly, in 2017, over 1,000 Tennesseeans died from complications from colon cancer. However, this disease is preventable, treatable and beatable if found early. Screening colonoscopies continue to be the "gold standard" for detection, yet many Tennesseans - and Chattanoogans - do not have access to this preventative testing.
Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is a local, non-profit primary care clinic for underinsured individuals living in the greater Chattanooga area. They provide many services, including colon cancer screenings through a program called Project Access, to people in need in our community. Unfortunately, this wonderful organization recently found themselves in need of immediate funding to continue providing these services. Part of the mission of the Greater Chattanooga Colon Cancer Foundation is to "enter into strategic private and public partnerships that will provide compassionate care to those burdened by colon cancer." Therefore, GCCCF is proud to have granted VIM $5,000, with the possibility of a matching grant up to another $5,000 at the end of January. "Colonoscopies Save Lives," and we are excited to assist this organization in continuing to help Chattanoogans in need have access to these life saving screenings.
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Thank you to all who very generously donated to GCCCF in 2018
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General Donations
Patricia Brien
Ralph Powell
The Miller Family Foundation
In Memory of Billy Sanders
Jim and Tami Bone
Timothy Chakwin
Brandon and Cara Cincere
Elizabeth and Bill Clossin
Ann Couillard
Endovascular Team at Erlanger Medical Center
Julianna Fogleman
Warren Gardner
Meredith Howell
Nathan Kuntz and Family
Kelly Maxwell
Laurel McKenzie
Gwen Mullins
Chris Rutledge and Family
Stephen Sharpe
In Memory of Luis Lorenzo-Rivero
Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators, TN Chi Chapter
Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie Boaz
Bernie and Cathy Hayden
Harold Head and Laura Witherspoon
Marshall and Jane Horton
Travis Hutchinson
Shannon Lorenzo-Rivero
Dan and Leslie Niedergeses
Tom Ozburn and the Parkridge Hospital Administration Team
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In Memory of Luis Lorenzo-Rivero (continued)
Ryan and Kayse Rigsby
Edwin Shuck
Tennessee Aquarium
University Surgical Associates
In Memory of Guelda Malone
2008 Eastern Star Grand Family and Ducks
2014 Eastern Star Grand Family
Harry and Betty Arnold
Toby and Pat Ayre
David Bulkeley
Brian and Robin Celatka
Ken and Pat Clark
Karen Coates
Julie Decicco
Steve Dunn
Rebecca Evans
Charles and Terry Keister
Don and Merry Lou Lenzke
George and Susan Liner
Lower East Grand Representatives
Burlee Malone
Neighborhood Helpers Ministry
Mary Nausley
Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 272
Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 310
Wilbur and Mary Strickland
Sunnyside Chapter 359
Bob and Robbin Willie
In Memory of Rick Meredith
Ken Meredith
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NEW IN 2019 - ASK A DOCTOR!!
Have a question related to colorectal cancer? There are three doctors on the GCCCF board, and they are happy to answer your questions! Send us an email, and Dr. Shauna Lorenzo-Rivero (colorectal surgeon with University Surgical Associates), Dr. Tom Brien (pathologist with Diagnostic Pathology Services), or Dr. Marshall Horton (retired gastroenterologist with Galen Medical Group) will answer.
Please note: this in no way creates a physician/patient relationship, and any advice does not constitute actual treatment. It should in no way replace a visit with your doctor, which is encouraged. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please dial 911, and do not send a question to the link above.
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Thank you to those who have committed to supporting the Rump Run in 2019:
University Surgical Associates, Erlanger Medical Group, Memorial Hospital, Parkridge Hospital, EPB, Galen Medical Group, Diagnostic Pathology Services, Brewer Media, Chattanooga Endoscopy Center, Digestive Care and Management, First Tennessee, HHM Private Wealth, PathGroup, Tennessee Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging Consultants, Karl Storz Endoskope, Wright Brothers Construction, Creative Discovery Museum, Endearing Life Photography, Joe Nabors and Puckett EMS.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us. We would love to have your support!
For more information on this event, and to register, sign up to volunteer or make a donation, please visit our website.
We need survivor volunteers! If you would be willing to help promote this event, or if you would be willing to briefly share your story at the event, please contact us.
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MoPar Man recently presented Captain Colon with a check for $10,000 out of proceeds from the 2018 Southeast MoParty Picnic. Ken Meredith, organizer of the Picnic, donated this money in memory of his brother, Rick, who passed away from complications of colon cancer. You can read more about this donation here. GCCCF is so very grateful to Ken and all those involved with the MoParty event for helping us spread the message that "Colonoscopies Save Lives!" Thank you!
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Pictured (l-r) are Dierdre Pool, Ken Meredith - MoParty organizer, Lance Dowdy - Crown Chrysler Jeep General Manager, MoPar Man, Captain Colon, Dr. Marshall Horton - GCCCF Vice President, and Will Jones - Crown Chrysler Internal Advisor.
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2018 Tax Year Reminders
Jones Krogh, CPA, CFP - GCCCF Treasurer
Tax Deadline
- The deadline to file your 2018 federal income tax return, or file your extension, is Monday, April 15, 2019.
Charitable Donations
- Don’t forget non-cash contributions you made to organizations such as Goodwill, and the Salvation Army.
- Donating appreciated stock and investments is a tax efficient way to give to your favorite charity.
- Individuals over 70 ½ can reduce their tax bill by donating a portion of their IRA required minimum distribution directly to their favorite charity.
- You must obtain written substantiation from the charitable organization for all charitable donations in excess of $250. The GCCCF provides the required documentation to all donors. If you need a receipt, please email the foundation at info@gcccf.org.
IRA and Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution deadline
- April 15, 2019 is also the deadline to make contributions to your traditional or Roth IRA, or HSA, accounts for the 2018 tax year.
- The IRA contribution limit is $5,500, and is increased to $6,500 for participants 50, or older.
- The HSA contribution limit varies based on single or family coverage, and age. A contribution to an HSA is tax deductible.
Free Federal Filing
- Did you know you may be able to file your taxes for free?
- Use this link to find out more: https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
If you need the services of a highly qualified tax professional, please contact George Wilmoth, CPA. He is the partner-in-charge of tax services for Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough (HHM). George can be reached via email at gwilmoth@hhmcpas.com, or 423-756-7771.
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Are you willing to share how colon cancer has impacted your life? Please contact us and let us know!
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As we head into 2019, here are some colon cancer facts to keep in mind..
- Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined.
- 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime.
- There were 97,220 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2018.
- 1 in 3 people are not up-to-date on their screening, and 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented with screening.
- People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with colon cancer are between two to three times more likely to develop the cancer than those without a family history.
- There are warning signs, but not EARLY warning signs. Like lung and cervical cancer, colectoral cancer can be hard to detect in the earliest stages and this is why screening is so important.
- Colectoral cancer can be cured in up to 90 percent of people when its discovered in its early stages.
- Compared to Caucasians, all other racial/ethnic groups are less likely to have colectoral cancer found in early stages.
- The incidence of colorectal cancer for those under 50 is on the rise and more young people are being diagnosed.
- Many lifestyle-related factors are directly linked to colectoral cancer. Obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use can greatly increase your risk. However, keeping a diet that is low in fat and high in vegetables and fruit, eating whole grains, limiting red and processed meats, and regular exercise can significantly lower your risk.
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