Eric Davis Drives Home Vital Colon Cancer Message

Baseball, like life, is a series of streaks and slumps, highs and lows, hits and misses. Few players have demonstrated more heroic resilience in the face of adversity than St. Louis Cardinals' right fielder Eric Davis. This 37-year old veteran has overcome tremendous odds - not only to excel as an athlete, but to survive.

In 1997, while playing with the Baltimore Orioles, Davis was diagnosed with colon cancer – the second most common cancer killer in the United States. The news was staggering, but Davis was eager to start fighting the disease immediately.

"I didn't know anything about colon cancer, except that I was going to do everything in my power to beat it," says Davis. Shortly after the diagnosis, surgeons removed a tumor nearly the size of an orange from his abdomen.

Just one month later, the first player ever to hit over 30 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season pulled off the greatest accomplishment of his career by returning to the Orioles' starting lineup. Davis scheduled his chemotherapy treatments around games and continually amazed his family, teammates and fans with his unwavering spirit.

While cancer was undoubtedly the greatest challenge of his life, Davis was no stranger to impressive comebacks. Since his rookie year in 1984, Davis has returned from a lacerated kidney (suffered in the 1990 World Series) and a herniated disk in his neck, which caused him to miss the entire 1995 season.

These days, Davis puts his all-star talents and leadership skills to work for the St. Louis Cardinals. And he is using his experience with colon cancer to educate others about the disease - and the importance of early detection.

"Nobody should die from colon cancer," says Davis. "And nobody should be afraid to be screened. It's a simple test that could mean the difference between living another four months or a long, full life."

On May 26th with support from Major League Baseball and Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology, Davis is delivering the message about early screening to fans in 15 ballparks through his "Score for Screening Day 2000" events. These events are part of his "Score Against Colon Cancer" campaign, which also includes a Web site and toll-free number, to provide easy access to a wealth of colon cancer information and resources.

The message that Eric Davis wants to deliver to all Americans: with a healthy lifestyle, regular screening and through new cutting-edge therapies we can "Score Against Colon Cancer."

"Score" is the latest of many efforts to which Davis donates his talents. He was the spokesman for national Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March. He has worked with Today Show host Katie Couric to support her Colon Cancer Research Alliance. And his Eric Davis Foundation benefits colon cancer research and pediatric oncology.

Last year, Davis took his "Score" campaign on the road to hospitals and cancer centers in cities where he traveled with the Cardinals. He shared his story with other cancer patients and spread the word about early detection to baseball fans.

"Colon cancer can strike anyone, at any time," says Davis. "I just want people to know how important it is for them and their loved ones to get screened. It definitely saves lives."

For more information about colon cancer or Eric's "Score Against Colon Cancer" campaign, browse this site or call 877-SCORE123.

Sidebar:
From the Warning Track: Straight Facts About Colon Cancer

• An estimated 55,000 people each year die from colon cancer. Many of these deaths could be prevented through early detection.
• People with colon cancer rarely have symptoms.
• Colon cancer affects men and women equally.
• Everyone over age 50 – and those with a family history of colon cancer – should have regular screening tests.
• When caught early, colon cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.