INDIANAPOLIS — This is one for the Indiana State Fair record books: A 40-foot-long, 4-foot-tall oversized model of the human colon that visitors can crawl through.
The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, in partnership with Clarian Health, is hosting the Colossal Colon in the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion, on the southwest corner of the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 17. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
“Coco,” as the Colossal Colon is affectionately known, is designed to educate people about colorectal cancer and other diseases of the colon. Visitors who crawl through Coco will see examples of Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, cancerous and non-cancerous polyps and various stages of colon cancer.
Coco includes examples of healthy colon tissue, several non-cancerous diseases of the colon, polyps and various stages of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in America. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer in 2008. Combined, they will cause 49,960 deaths.
Also during the fair, men and women can help IU Simon Cancer Center researchers unlock the mysteries of breast and prostate cancers by providing a small blood sample for two studies.
Men can give a blood sample from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 17 for a study called PROGRESS (PROstate Cancer – Genetic Risk Evaluation of SNPs Study), which seeks to identify genetic risk factors that contribute to the development of prostate cancer and response to therapy.
Meanwhile, representatives with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center will collect blood samples from women from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
By collecting blood from women with and without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between these populations, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease. Blood samples taken from women without the disease are especially helpful because there are few collections of so-called “normal” specimens. The bank ultimately will give researchers valuable and unprecedented research data.
The blood collections take place in the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion. Participants for each study will need to complete a questionnaire containing basic questions and a consent form.
Features
Colossal Colon on display at Indiana State Fair
Breast, prostate studies also included in education outreach
- Features
-
-
Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
Even if you don’t have a mystical Egyptian tablet that brings museum inhabitants to life at sunset like character Larry Daley in the “Night in the Museum” movies, history can come alive for you, your friends and family at the many museums in the Wabash Valley.
-
Treat your valentine with a rose and song
A rose is a rose … until it is sent anonymously in February with a lyrical, heartfelt appreciation.
-
Turn-of-the-century tea shines during season of romance
You can take part in the season of romance at a turn-of-the-century tea hosted by Fortnightly Club members at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fortnightly, 421 N. Sixth St., Vincennes.
-
Catfish tournament returns to Turtle Creek Reservoir
In partnership with the Indiana Catfish Association, Hoosier Energy is sponsoring its fourth annual Turtle Creek Open catfish tournament from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17 at Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County.
-
Actors needed for 3D films to be shot in Bloomington
The Indiana University 3D Production Class is seeking local talent to cast in its 3D Student Film Showcase to be screened at IU Cinema at 6:30 p.m. on May 1.
-
Rosedale students, staff to prove they’ve Got Talent
Rosedale’s Got Talent and a Country Rhodes Fish Fry make for an exciting day in Rosedale on Feb. 18.
- KARAOKE: Feb. 9, 2012
- Nightlife: Feb. 9, 2012
-
Terre Haute artist putting ‘The Good Housewife’ on exhibit in New Harmony
Former Terre Haute artist Mary Ann Michna will exhibit a series of mixed media artworks titlted “The Good Housewife” at the Women’s Institute and Gallery in New Harmony.
-
ISU School of Music scholarship concert Sunday
Tickets are available for the Indiana State University School of Music’s 21st annual Wind/Percussion Scholarship Concert, scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday in Tilson Auditorium in Tirey Hall.
-
Fowler Park Pancake Breakfast coming up
The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department will host the 26th annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 in Fowler Park Log Barn.
- Dance lessons: Feb. 9, 2012
-
EIU readies love songs for Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Eastern Illinois University’s Choral Ensembles are planning to celebrate the majesty of love.
-
‘Play It Again Sam’ to open at Old Town Theatre
The Woody Allen comedy “Play It Again, Sam” will open Feb. 17 at the Old Town Players Theatre and Arts Center, 432 Broadway St. Performances will continue Feb. 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.
-
Traveling Civil War exhibit makes history personal
Civil War history will come alive for visitors to the Sullivan County Public Library who experience “Faces of the Civil War,” a traveling exhibition created and managed by the Indiana Historical Society.
- Bingo: Feb. 9, 2012
- Museums and Exhibitions: Feb. 9, 2012
- Book signings: Feb. 9, 2012
- Theater: Feb. 9, 2012
-
Dicky James and the Blue Flames give strong performance in Memphis
Terre Haute-based Dicky James and the Blue Flames weren’t the big winners at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., last week, but the group did win accolades and made contacts that should help it raise its profile nationally.
-
‘All Dolled Up’ exhibit opens today VU’s Shircliff Gallery
“All Dolled Up,” an exhibition of handmade dolls, will open today at Vincennes University’s Shircliff Gallery of Art.
-
Marshall Senior Diners’ Club staging ‘Movie Monday’
Senior Diners’ Club at Harlan Hall in Marshall will be sponsoring a “Movie Monday” at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 following lunch.
- COMMUNITY: Feb. 9, 2012
-
Concerts: Feb. 9, 2012
An asterisk (*) indicates tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.
-
Butler Theatre to present version of ‘Tartuffe’ starting Wednesday
Butler Theatre presents a contemporary version of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” beginning Wednesday in Lilly Hall Studio Theatre 168.
-
VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
-
Story of homeland foundation of vocal group
Since their earliest recordings and performances, the South African-based Grammy Award-winning male a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as individuals and as a group, have maintained a respect and a reverence for their past.
-
Original copy of 13th Amendment at Lincoln Library & Museum
A fully signed and recently restored copy of the Congressional resolution for a 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the official act that would abolish slavery in the United States, will be on display in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum’s Treasures Gallery.
-
RCAA member presents ‘Waterfalls’ at Vigo Library
February brings a stunning exhibit of waterfalls by photographer Spencer Young to the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute.
-
River Wools’ Stitch Red/Wear Red part of First Friday events
Downtown Terre Haute’s First Friday is a monthly evening that encourages collaboration among downtown merchants, museums, galleries, and university and commercial venues.
- More Features Headlines
-









