Basking in the attention given to renowned designer Carmen Marc Valvo’s featured fashion show, Mr. Valvo and Susie’s Cause were tremendously successful in getting out the message calling for more colon cancer screening and the options for early detection. Organizers of this year’s annual AARP meeting, Vegas@50+, invited Mr. Valvo, a colon cancer survivor, and Susie’s Cause to host a fashion show featuring some of his most beautiful designs. Carmen's designs, which are currently staples at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales, have been worn by some of the world's most recognized women, including Katie Couric, Kate Winslet, Vanessa Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This featured show was sponsored by Quidel Corporation. manufacturer of the QuickVue^{® iFOB (immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood) test.}    For more exciting details of the fashion show see the related AARP link here.

Colonoscopies can be costly for the uninsured and the 2009 Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card indicates that many states still do not require insurance companies to cover preventative screenings. While there is not a replacement for a colonoscopy, consumers need to be aware of potential lower cost screening alternatives recommended by the American Cancer Society and other organizations. This includes a yearly fecal immunochemical test also known as FIT, an at-home screening test available through healthcare providers that detects blood in stool which can be an indicator of colorectal cancer.

Susie’s Cause and Quidel provided timely information to the thousands of attendees thus raising awareness to a large segment of the 25,000 AARP convention attendees.

Carmen, Quidel, and Susie’s Cause are excited to be working together throughout the United States to raise awareness for colon cancer prevention.