What you need to know about the #StolenColon

UPDATE, October 29, 2019

On the anniversary of the recovery of the #StolenColon, the reach of this story continues to amaze.

• Online stories mentioning the Stolen Colon is nearly 1,200 and the #StolenColon hashtag shared nearly 10,000 times.
• These stories have the potential to reach over 1.075 BILLION people.

We were invited to present the lessons learned and the reach of this global colorectal cancer screening conversation at the American College of Gastroenterology’s annual meeting today, and was recognized as a Presidential Poster and a Newsworthy Abstract. You can download and view our poster here.

KEY LESSONS LEARNED IN THE PAST YEAR

• Tongue-in-cheek humor can reach individuals who may be unreachable through traditional messaging.
• Social media is an effective way to reach a wide range of people especially when the message is unique and interactive.
• Providers, patients, and survivors are micro-influencers who help increase visibility and awareness.
• Embrace the chaos. People on Twitter enjoy funny. Humor can go a long way to making the serious message of screening and prevention more palatable for the general public.

UPDATE, October 21, 2019

Some highlights from the #StolenColon saga – one year later.

UPDATE, October 19, 2019

On the anniversary of the theft, the #StolenColon ventured to make a public appearance at the Kansas City Marathon to educate runners about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

UPDATE, March 1, March 2, March 4, 2019

Meet “HOPE” and “CAPTAIN COLON” our brand-new non-#stolencolon(s)

UPDATE, February 28, 2019

Tomorrow we officially add to our colon fleet with the unveiling of the replacements for the now non-#stolencolon.

Quest Diagnostics is opening their Lenexa, KS, laboratory (10101 Renner Blvd, Lenexa, KS) on Friday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST, for tours of the new colon and to unveil the name voted on by their employees. It will then be off on its educational journey. A food truck will be on-site and all attendees are encouraged to wear blue.

In New York City, the inflated colon, donated by the employees of Salix Pharmaceuticals, will be set up in Herald Square Park from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, educating passers-by about the signs and symptoms of the disease and the importance of colonoscopy screenings.

Read More about the Unveilings

UPDATE: January 9, 2019

In correspondence submitted to NatureResearch, Dan Dixon from the University of Kansas Cancer Center, Erin Peterson with Coalition, and Anjee Davis from Fight Colorectal Cancer tout the important reach and impact the #StolenColon may have on screening and awareness for colon and rectal cancer.

UPDATE, December 21, 2018:

We picked up the donated replacement colons from Quest Diagnostics and Salix Pharmaceuticals!

After a tour of Landmark Creations‘ facilities we drove away with two brand new giant educational tools.

UPDATE, October 31, 2018:

Did you see the #StolenColon on The Late Show?

UPDATE, October 29, 2018. 5 P.M.:

THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RECOVERED THE STOLEN COLON!

BREAKING: WE HAVE RECOVERED THE STOLEN COLON. Thanks to a tip, officers found the giant, inflatable, pilfered intestine in a vacant house in the 7100 block of Virginia. No one in custody yet. Investigation is continuing. #stolencolon pic.twitter.com/QAILIr3G6d

— Kansas City Police (@kcpolice) October 29, 2018

ORIGINAL POST, October 26, 2019

While we wait for the thief to be brought to justice, we are happy to announce that through generous donations from Quest Diagnostics and the employees at Salix Pharmaceuticals we have stormed past our fundraising goal and are able to secure not just one, but two replacements!

The Basics

• The stolen colon was purchased in 2017 by the Colon Cancer Coalition with funds raised through Get Your Rear in Gear – Kansas City.
• The colon is approximately 10×10 and weighs 150lbs.
• Prior to the theft, the colon was stored at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The staff there uses this educational tool for medical center and other community events.

What Happened?

• The colon was stolen from a driveway in Brookside, MO, overnight Thurs., Oct. 18, after it was loaded to be transported and displayed at a breast cancer 5K on Sat., Oct. 20, in Kansas City, MO.
• The Kansas City Police Officer assigned to the case is Officer William Richter.
• The Colon Cancer Coalition set up a fundraiser to replace this important education tool. Donations received above the cost of the (now two) colon(s) will be used to further screening, education, and awareness for colon and rectal cancer, the nation’s No. 2 cancer killer for men and women.

Donate

• Even with the replacements coming we are still hoping for our stolen colon to be returned. We want to hear all the stories it has to tell, then give it a bath, provide any needed repairs, and put it back on the road to raise even more awareness about colon cancer screening and save more lives!

The Silver Lining

• Coverage of the #StolenColon has been tracked around the globe.
• News of the Stolen Colon has reached over 186 million people.
• The colon’s “job” is to raise awareness and to start conversations about colon cancer. To that end, the colon has succeed. There are more people talking about colon cancer today then there were yesterday.
• Oh, and the jokes… the jokes about the #stolencolon on Twitter are pretty good too.

While You’re Here

• Find our more about colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.
• Learn about the rise in colorectal cancer in young adults.
• Discover your screening options.
• Read personal stories of those affected by color and rectal cancer.

Tour the Stolen Colon with University of Kansas Cancer Center

For the media: Download Photos and Video of the Stolen Colon

Watch this space, we will be updating as we have more to share in this continuing colon caper.

Share your favorite inflatable colon memories in the comments below.