Dr. Sam Pace wins national advocacy award

Feb. 28--Retired gastroenterologist and colon cancer survivor Dr. Sam Pace will be recognized nationally for his advocacy work.

The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, which was co-founded by the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, named Pace among the seven individuals and organizations to receive the 2018 National Achievement Awards. Pace will be recognized in Los Angeles next week.

"So many other people are a part of this award," in Tupelo and around the state, Pace said. "The true champions are the individuals we convince to get screened and end up not getting colon cancer."

On Wednesday, his photo and that of the other national achievement award winners will be featured on a jumbotron in Times Square during the NASDAQ opening bell ringing event.

Pace was honored as the "survivor/physician campaign" for 2018 for the leadership role he has taken in promoting colorectal cancer awareness.

"We are honored to recognize these extraordinary awardees for their dedication and efforts to continue to increase awareness that colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but only if people get tested," said Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer, American Cancer Society.

In Tupelo, Pace has championed efforts including the Barbershop Talk program, which gets information about cancer screening to local barbers to share with their customers, and annual awareness events like the Run for Buns 5K and the Blue Tie Affair. On the state level, he was an early leader for the 70x2020 Initiative, a coalition of Mississippi advocates pushing to increase colon cancer screening rates in the state. He pushed for the creation of a specialty license plate, the first of its kind in the country for colon cancer.

Tupelo gastroenterologist Dr. Stephen Amann nominated Pace for the award and UMMC Professor Roy Duhe, 70X2020 director, supported the nomination, Pace said.

Along with the award, Pace will receive $1,000 to support his work. Pace plans to direct his award to the 70X2020 Initiative. Screening allows for the detection of precancerous growth, which can be removed easily, preventing colon cancer from developing, Pace said.

"We badly need the funds to help with screening in underserved areas," Pace said

michaela.morris@journalinc.com

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