(BPT) – Blue is the new black. It is also the national color for colorectal cancer education. Who better to talk about the cancer than Carmen Marc Valvo. He is one of the nation’s top designers. And he also has had the disease.

“I was lucky because I caught my disease early before it had a chance to get worse,” says Carmen Marc Valvo. “When I first found out, I wanted to keep it to myself. But after my experience, I wanted to share my story with others. My hope is that people will talk to their doctors and find out their risks for this disease.”

There are many things that can put a person at higher risk for colorectal cancer. Being age 50 or older is one risk. Having a family history of the disease is another. Knowing the risks is a good first step to preventing this deadly disease.

Medical experts say that colon cancer will take the lives of 50,000 Americans this year alone. The way to help prevent these deaths is through screening tests. Proper screening can prevent more than half of these deaths. Screening catches the cancer early, when treatment works best. Talk to a doctor about when to start screening for colorectal cancer.

Fight Colorectal Cancer is a national group that helps people learn more about the disease. Check out the group’s website at www.FightColorectalCancer.org.

Join others across the country in the group’s One Million Strong “Virtual March.” Bayer HealthCare is the national sponsor of the march as well as the One Million Strong educational campaign. The company will donate $2 for every person who joins the effort up to $40,000 for Fight Colorectal Cancer. To play a part, go to www.MarchforCRC.com.