Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) Joins Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

3/10/2003

From: Cassie Gainer of Romano & Associates Inc., 410-730-4133

ALPINE, N.J., March 10 -- As a third baseman in the Major Leagues, Graig Nettles made some major plays that helped win important games. This March, he'll continue his extraordinary defensive career when he joins the fight against the second leading cancer killer in the United States - colorectal cancer.

"Now that I'm over 50, I've realized I still have quite a defensive career ahead of me - protecting myself from colorectal cancer," Nettles said. "This cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early. Everyone over 50 or with a family history of the disease, needs to launch their defensive career, too. I'm here to let everyone know the importance of getting screened regularly."

March marks the much-anticipated start of the baseball season - and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. During this important month members of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) and Major League Baseball players will join the James E. Olson Foundation (JEO) to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. The James E. Olson Foundation (JEO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to colorectal cancer research, education, and awareness.

"PBATS is spreading the word that colorectal cancer is a serious issue that needs to be talked about," said Jamie Reed, president of PBATS. "People need to know that regular screenings can help catch the disease in its early stages, when treatments are more effective and successful."

During Spring Training in Florida and Arizona, PBATS members will raise awareness of colorectal cancer by wearing dark pink and blue wristbands during games. The colors were selected to show that colorectal cancer affects both men and women equally. PBATS also will distribute home colorectal screening tests to players and fans.

Each year over 55,000 Americans die from colorectal cancer. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 33 percent of these deaths could be prevented by early detection.

"As athletic trainers, we play an important role in the health of professional baseball players," Reed said. "We also want to play a role in the health of baseball's fans - and what better way than to raise awareness during Spring Training games of America's favorite sport?"

To arrange for an interview with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society regarding efforts to promote colorectal cancer awareness, contact Romano & Associates Inc. at (410) 730-4133. Information about the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society and the James E. Olson Foundation can be found at http://www.pbats.com and http://www.jeofoundation.org.