In 2005, Anita Mitchell and Carmen Mitchell (unrelated), stage 4 colon cancer patients, met through their Chemotherapy nurse and became instant friends. Anita and Carmen were each diagnosed with colon cancer in their early 40s, well below the age of 45 when routine screening is recommended. 

They both have family histories of colon cancer, but they were both unaware of this history until after they were diagnosed.  Had they known, they could have been screened in time to either prevent the cancer from developing, or to detect it at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Armed with their new knowledge, the friends became members of the Colon Cancer Task Force, and soon began contemplating the formation of an independent nonprofit organization. Their goal?  To educate the public about colorectal cancer screening and the role of family history.  Anita and Carmen’s shared mission was to raise awareness about screening, family histories involving colon cancer, and to ultimately prevent other people from developing this disease. 

Unfortunately, Carmen Mitchell passed away on March 8, 2006, before her dreams were realized.  In 2006, Anita Mitchell created “Dress in Blue Day for Colon Cancer Awareness”, and in 2007 she dedicated it to Carmen’s memory. In 2009, Colon Cancer Stars partnered with the Colon Cancer Alliance to make this a nationwide awareness event.

Colon Cancer Stars was incorporated as a Washington nonprofit corporation on May 20, 2008 for the purpose of continuing the work started by the Colorectal Cancer Task Force (the “Task Force”), a committee comprised of over 13 public agencies, individuals and nonprofit organizations, including the Washington State Department of Health and the City of Seattle and King County Departments of Health. The Task Force, formed in 2001, is a committee of the Washington Comprehensive Cancer Control Partnership, a public–private partnership that is working to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. The Task Force was charged with reducing mortality from colorectal cancer in Washington by increasing colorectal cancer screening and by increasing the capacity of the health care system to perform high-quality colorectal cancer screening.  Colon Cancer Stars is a member of Washington Comprehensive Cancer Control Partnership.