Erie County's Cancer Services Program partners with Tops Friendly Markets to offer free colorectal cancer FIT Kits

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Early detection saves lives

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

This March, the Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) is partnering with 12 Tops Friendly Markets to provide free FIT kits for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

“We are excited to collaborate with Tops Friendly Markets once again to distribute FIT kits to eligible adults,” Cancer Services Program Director Michelle Wysocki said. “This partnership allows us to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, address common misconceptions, and show how easy and private the process can be.”

The FIT Kit is a simple, noninvasive test that allows adults aged 45-75 years to screen for colorectal cancer at home. After collecting a sample, you mail it to a lab using a prepaid envelope. Eligible customers can pick up a kit at participating Tops pharmacies on select dates in March. Watch this video about how to use a FIT Kit.

“We want to make colorectal cancer screening accessible and convenient for everyone,” Wysocki said. “Our program ensures that eligible Erie County residents can get screened, regardless of their insurance coverage, because early detection saves lives.”

The Erie County Cancer Services Program also provides free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services for uninsured or underinsured adults in Erie County. Additional diagnostic tests, if needed, may also be covered through a New York state program. For more information, visit www.erie.gov/cancerservices or call 716-858-7376.

March 2025 Tops locations, dates & times

•Alden

√ 2775 Broadway • March 10 • 4-7 p.m.

•Buffalo

√ 425 Niagara • March 5 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 345 Amherst • March 18 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 2101 Elmwood • March 19 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 1275 Jefferson • March 20 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 1460 South Park • March 26 • 4-7 p.m.

•Cheektowaga

√ 3865 Union • March 3 • 4-7 p.m.

√ 700 Thruway Plaza Drive • March 27 • 4-7 p.m.

•Hamburg

√ 6150 South Park • March 25 • 4-7 p.m.

•Springville

√ 184 S. Cascade Drive • March 6 • 4-7 p.m.

•West Seneca

√ 800 Harlem • March 13 • 4-7 p.m.

•Williamsville

√ 2351 Maple • March 31 • 4-7 p.m.

Schedule updates at cspwny.org.

For more:

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

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