The American Cancer Society made an announcement to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on June 21—every city in the county is now a "colon cancer free zone," meaning it is committed to supporting colon cancer screening education.

At the June 21 event, Polyp Man was unveiled, sporting the program's slogan—"Colon Cancer. Get the Test. Get the Polyp. Get the Cure."

In addition to the governments for each city in the county, many local hospitals, churches and nonprofit coalitions and organizations have also signed on to support the Colon Cancer Free Zone project. Saratoga resident Gay Crawford, who chairs the colon cancer campaign for the ACS, says that goals for the year 2005 include targeting the county's remaining hospitals as well as additional corporations and related associations.

However, she thinks Polyp Man can handle the task.

"I really think that giving charm to the colon cancer message makes a difficult subject easier to address," she says, referring to Polyp Man's friendly appeal and uncanny ability to provoke laughter in all who see him.

Visit www.americancancersociety.org.