Bottoms Up Invitational raises $5.7 million for colorectal cancer fight

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak’s fifth annual Bottoms Up Invitational in Washington raised awareness and funds for colorectal cancer, bringing total proceeds to more than $5.7 million over five years. The event spotlighted screening and research as colorectal cancer cases rise among younger adults.

Why it matters: - Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer in people under 50. - Three-quarters of diagnoses happen at late stages, when treatment options are more limited. - Cases among Americans ages 20 to 39 are projected to rise 90% by 2030. - The fundraising supports the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, which backs research, screening, awareness and patient support.

What happened: - The fifth annual Bottoms Up Invitational took place Sept. 13-14 in Washington, D.C., and Norwalk, Connecticut. - Craig Melvin of Today and CBS Sports HQ host Lindsay Czarniak organized the two-day event. - The fundraiser brought together celebrities, musicians, athletes and supporters. - The event raised awareness and funds in memory of Melvin’s brother, Lawrence Meadows, who died of colorectal cancer at 43. - The invitational has raised more than $5.7 million over five years for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

The details: - A Sept. 13 concert at Fairfield Theatre Company featured Wyclef Jean, Chris Barron of Spin Doctors, Andrew Copeland and Jett Beres of Sister Hazel, Branford Marsalis, Javier Colon, Ryan Cabrera and others. - A Sept. 14 event at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk included activities with Dylan Dreyer, Willie Geist, Jim Cantore, Rutledge Wood, Stephanie Szostak, Ralph Sampson, Charlie Rymer, Allan Houston and others. - Medical and industry experts joined Melvin and Czarniak at the Alliance’s Screen Smart event before the concert. - The screening discussion focused on education efforts aimed at catching colorectal cancer earlier. - Timely screening can help prevent colorectal cancer or detect it early, when it is highly treatable and has a 91% survival rate. - Proceeds will support Alliance programs including Project Cure CRC and Screen Smart. - More information is available at bottomsupinvitational.org.

Between the lines: - The event links celebrity fundraising to a public health problem that is hitting younger adults harder. - The emphasis on screening reflects a shift from awareness alone to earlier detection and prevention. - The size of the five-year haul suggests the campaign has become a durable annual platform, not a one-off benefit.

What's next: - The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will use event proceeds to continue research, advocacy, community support and screening education. - Organizers are pushing toward a future where fewer people are diagnosed and more cases are caught early. - Future Bottoms Up events are likely to remain part of the Alliance’s fundraising and awareness strategy.

The bottom line: - Bottoms Up has turned a personal loss into a growing fundraising engine for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.