The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable will recognize retired gastroenterologist and colorectal cancer survivor Sam Pace, MD, for his advocacy work focused on raising awareness of the disease, the Daily Journal reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Pace is one of seven who will receive a 2018 National Achievement Award.
2. All the award recipients will have their photos displayed on a jumbotron in Times Square in New York City during the Nasdaq opening bell ceremonies in March. He'll also receive an award at a ceremony in Los Angeles.
3. Dr. Pace has championed multiple efforts in Tupelo, Miss. He notably started a Barbershop Talk program, where local barbers received information about cancer screenings to share with their patrons. He advocated for the 70x2020 initiative — which seeks to get at least 70 percent of Tupelo's eligible population screened by 2020 — and he created a specialty license plate for colon cancer, the first of its kind in the U.S.
4. Dr. Pace said, "So many other people are a part of this award. The true champions are the individuals we convince to get screened and end up not getting colon cancer."
5. He'll receive an award and $1,000 to continue his work.