Gilda's Club Worldwide Spells 'HOPE' To Colon Cancer Patients And Survivors

Gilda's Club Worldwide Spells 'HOPE' To Colon Cancer Patients And Survivors Gilda's Club Worldwide offers a message of hope this holiday season to the millions touched by colon cancer with a one-of-a-kind mosaic mural at its New York City headquarters. The 15X6 foot mural was created by more than 165 colon cancer survivors from around the nation as part of a new MOSAIC of Colon Cancer Survivorship program celebrating the strides that have improved colon cancer treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, death rates for colon cancer have been declining due to many factors including prevention, improved detection and better treatment options.

The mural spells "HOPE!" in celebration of the advances in prevention, screening, staging and treatment that are improving survival for people with colon cancer.

For several months, Gilda's Clubhouses from across the country have worked with colon cancer survivors and their loved ones to create inspirational murals expressing the thoughts and feelings of people nationwide touched by colon cancer. Murals were contributed by clubhouses in every region of the country - Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and West - before heading to New York City. The MOSAIC mural of HOPE! was assembled by volunteers at Gilda's Club Worldwide where it will be on display January 12 until February 13, 2009.

"Colon cancer is a frightening diagnosis, but there is hope," said Sandy Towers, Gilda's Club Worldwide interim executive director. "Through the MOSAIC of Colon Cancer Survivorship program, survivors offered the best kind of hope that comes from those who have already gone through the experience."