ASCRS National Media Awards
ASCRS established the National Media Awards program in 1995 to acknowledge achievement in promoting a greater public understanding of colon and rectal disease, such as colon cancer, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and Crohn's Disease.
Each year, the Society presents awards honoring the best work in three major media categories: Print (newspaper or magazine, Broadcast (television or radio), and Internet (information created for a general audience and presented exclusively on the Internet).
Winners receive a $1,000 cash prize, personally engraved plaque, and an expense-paid trip to the ASCRS Annual Meeting. Click here for the 2012 National Media Awards Call for Entries form.
2011 National Media Award Winners
Jennifer Berryman
“Colon Cancer Spike”
WCVB-TV (Boston)
Needham, MA
“Colon Cancer Spike” looks at the increase in colorectal cancers in younger people, getting the viewer’s attention with the story of high school football teammates, now in their 30s, both fathers, and now diagnosed with colon cancer. The strength of the piece is its attention to the science, clearly getting across the message that regardless of age, you don’t want to ignore colorectal cancer syndromes. After reporting the number of cases in people under 50 has jumped 40 percent, executive producer Jennifer Berryman explores the issue of screening. Reporter Heather Unruh asks experts whether the spike should cause physicians to rethink screening recommendations for people under 50, but interviews with colorectal surgeons put the costs “both financial and human” into perspective, suggesting earlier screening only for people with symptoms or a family history of the disease.
Rabiya S. Tuma
CR Magazine
Philadelphia, PA
“A Step (or Leap, or Jump, or Stretch) in the Right Direction”
“A Step (or Leap, or Jump, or Stretch) in the Right Direction” takes a close look at the role of exercise in extending and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors. Writer Rabiya S. Tuma builds the story around several studies showing the effect of exercise on colorectal cancer survivors. The article includes a user-friendly table, translating activities such as jogging, lawn mowing and house cleaning into “met hours,” letting readers know how many hours of a particular activity would produce a benefit from exercise. The CR Magazine piece is beautifully illustrated and features several interviews with patients and doctors. You can view the article here.
On The Path Productions, LLC
Christopher Springmann
San Francisco, CA
“National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month”
In a thoroughly researched and engaging internet piece, Executive Producer Christopher Springmann focuses on the importance of screening for colorectal cancer and explores questions about family history with a surgeon who offers clear explanations for visitors to life, love and health.com. Her explanations are scientific but entirely accessible and the two segments include public service spots from Morgan Freeman and Terrance Howard. Howard’s story of his mother’s death at 56 from colorectal cancer is especially moving.
The winning internet entry is available at: http://www.womensradio.com/episodes/Colorectal-Cancer-Awareness-and-West-Coast-University/8798.html.