The Reason Everyone’s Wearing Blue Today Will Touch Your Heart: ‘We Can Help Raise Awareness’
The simple act of wearing blue can spark conversations that save lives—here's what you need to know
If you’re out and about today, you might notice many people wearing blue. That’s because March 6 is Dress in Blue Day. It’s an annual event hosted by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and many celebrities, including Today show host Craig Melvin, who lost his brother to colon cancer a little over five years ago, are posting about it. We share more below.
What to know about Dress in Blue Day
Every year, on the first Friday in March, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance hosts Dress in Blue Day. According to the organization, the day “lets allies everywhere join our mission to end colorectal cancer. By wearing blue, you bring awareness to this disease, support our work and honor all impacted by colorectal cancer.”
The day was started in 2009 by Anita Mitchell, a Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer, Never Too Young Advisory Board member and Colon Cancer Stars founder.
Woman's World Answers
“At age 41 I was diagnosed with Stage IV [colorectal cancer]. I went to my primary care doctor with blood in my stool and a change in bowel habits, not having any idea that they were symptoms of colon cancer. I was told by my doctor that I didn’t need a colonoscopy,” Mitchell told Colon Cancer Stars. “I ended up having two surgeries: The first one removed a foot and half of my colon and an ovary and 16 lymph nodes. Then as soon as I healed from my operation, I started on an aggressive chemotherapy regimen to try and shrink the tumors in my liver to a more manageable size. I was lucky, after five months of chemotherapy, I was able to have my second surgery and have my liver re-sectioned to remove three tumors and have radio frequency ablation to get the five remaining tumors. More chemotherapy followed for another year and half and I have been clean since.”
In 2025, 154,270 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Symptoms of the disease include a persistent change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or cramping, fatigue, unexplained weight loss and blood in stool. Most of the time, colorectal cancer is discovered during or after a colonoscopy, but sometimes biopsies, stool tests or rectal exams are needed as well.
“I think people just don’t realize how common [colorectal cancer] is and that it has no symptoms until late stage, so the only way to prevent it is with screening. Screening really is the key,” Mitchell said. “Most cancers aren’t preventable; this one is. We could really change the numbers and the lives lost. It is sad to me that it is the second-leading cancer killer. Screening really is the key. ”
Celebrities show their support for Dress in Blue Day
For years, Melvin, age 46, has worn blue on the first Friday in March to show support for his brother, Reverend Lawrence Meadows, who died from colorectal cancer in December 2020. This year, he even released a special blue Today line in partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
“Over the years, I’ve been inspired to create special Today ties, pullovers and sock sets in honor of my brother, Lawrence,” Melvin wrote on Instagram earlier this week. “This year, I took a sportier approach with a navy Today polo and sock set. With your support, we can help raise awareness about the lifesaving importance of preventive screening.”
Then, today, Melvin, along with other Today show hosts Laura Jarrett, Al Roker and Carson Daly, wore blue for Dress in Blue Day.
“Join me this #DressInBlueDay to honor those impacted by colorectal cancer, which is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50,” Melvin wrote. “I’m wearing blue in memory of my brother, Lawrence. Let’s tell the world we’ve had #EnoughCRC.”
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