Whereas, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined in the United States; and,

Whereas, It is estimated that in the year 2006, 148,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in the United States; and,

Whereas, In 2006, the disease is expected to have killed an estimated 55,170 individuals; and,

Whereas, Screening for colorectal cancer is underutilized, and less than 50 percent of individuals above the age of 50 receive annual screenings for colorectal cancer; and,

Whereas, Regular screenings can detect polyps that lead to colorectal cancer and can save lives; and,

Whereas, Education can help inform the public of methods for early detection and prevention, such as the efforts underway by the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network, the Michigan Cancer Consortium and its members, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and the State of Michigan; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2007, as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan, and I encourage all citizens to learn more about this disease, to assist in prevention efforts, and to recognize the importance of colorectal cancer screenings.