Erie County Cancer Services Program partners with Tops for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Outreach team will distribute FIT kits at 18 Tops Friendly Markets stores over 17 days in March

The Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) is partnering with Tops Friendly Markets for a FIT kit distribution during March, which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

CSP outreach staff will provide education about colorectal screening options at 18 Tops stores during March. Shoppers can also pick up a FIT kit, which is a simple, at-home screening test for adults ages 45-75 years that is mailed to a lab.

“In 2022, an estimated 151,030 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. When you hear a staggering statistic like that, we as a company want to do all we can to help educate our customers to change those statistics for the better,” said Matt Hamed, director of pharmacy for Tops Friendly Markets. “We are proud to partner once again with Erie County Cancer Services Program to provide access to these vital screenings to those at greatest risk.”

Eligible customers between 45-75 years of age are encouraged to visit participating Tops Friendly Markets (schedule below) to pick up a FIT kit. The FIT kit may be free to individuals without insurance and covered in full by most major insurance plans.

Individuals who cannot attend one of these events may call 716-858-7376 to have a FIT kit mailed to them at their home.

Local stores include:

Buffalo:

√ 1275 Jefferson Ave. • March 2 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 2101 Elmwood Ave. • March 5 • 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

√ 1740 Sheridan Drive • March 11• 4-7 p.m.

√ 1460 South Park/Bailey • March 16 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 3500 University Plaza • March 21 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 425 Niagara St. • March 28 • 4-7 p.m.

East Amherst

√ 9660 Transit Road • March 23 • 4-7 p.m.

Grand Island

√ 2140 Grand Island Blvd. • March 14 • 4-7 p.m.

Tonawanda

√ 890 Young St. • March 12 • 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

√ 150 Niagara St. • March 19 • 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more:

√ Erie County Department of Health, Cancer Services Program: 716-858-7376 or http://www.erie.gov/cancerservices

√ Tops Friendly Markets: www.topsmarkets.com

√ New York State Department of Health, colorectal cancer: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/colorectal/

√ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cervical cancer: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal