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Associated Press

Know the Signs, Take Action: James Casey Birthday Benefit & Colorectal Cancer Awareness Initiative

From Music to Medicine: Continuing the Fight and Increasing Access NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2025 / ABOUT: Charity auction and screening drive featuring exclusive, one-of-a-kind collectors items generously donated by artists like Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews. Proceeds from the event will directly support colorectal cancer screening services for uninsured individuals via Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), an organization helping to ensure that more people have access to early detection methods. The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) will host a virtual webinar and screening drive in honor of Casey's life and legacy on Sunday, March 2 titled, 'Your Health, Your Voice: Knowing the Signs of Colorectal Cancer and Taking Action.' The event aims to have a real conversation about colorectal cancer trends and risks, especially among young people. ABGH thought leaders will discuss early screening options, disseminate resources and hold an interactive Q&A. The webinar is free and open to the public, and those in attendance can anonymously submit questions for the panel upon registration. WHY: Colorectal cancer diagnoses are on the rise among young people and disproportionately among African Americans. Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, many individuals still lack access to critical screening services. Early detection is vital, as it significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival. By supporting this initiative, participants help bridge the gap in healthcare equity, provide life-saving resources to underserved communities, and honor James Casey's mission to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight against colorectal cancer. WHEN: HERE. HERE. 'Because colon cancer is almost always treatable when caught early, James shared his story in hopes that others might avoid his fate,' his wife Ayla Casey shares. 'Thank you all for the continued support you've shown for James and this mission. We hope this initiative will make a positive impact on our community and amplify James' message as we celebrate his life, music and legacy.' MORE A longtime resident of New York City, James Casey was an established multi-instrumentalist, producer and vocalist. Widely known for his saxophone performances with Trey Anastasio Band, Meghan Trainor and members of the Grateful Dead like Phil Lesh & Friends and Billy and the Kids, James Casey recorded and released his first studio albums soon after learning of his late-stage cancer diagnosis in 2021. His Christmas album, A Little Something For Everyone, released in December 2022 and garnered praise on NPR Jazz Night in America's holiday playlist. Then, in between chemotherapy treatments, James Casey recorded and released 'New Bloom', the first single from his original solo debut album, The Kauai Project. 'New Bloom' and its poignant lyrics became a mantra for James Casey that year. The single landed on NPR Staff Picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2023 and its creation was shared in a segment on The Today Show. He released two more singles 'E.J.B.M.' and 'Outside' before his health took a turn. James Casey passed away from colorectal cancer at age 40 on August 28, 2023. One year later, The Kauai Project EP released posthumously and landed on first-round ballots for the 2025 Grammy nominations. While the album made his final mark on the music landscape, James Casey's legacy and advocacy lives on with those who continue to draw inspiration and insight from his incredible story. To learn more about James Casey, his cancer battle and how it intersected with his musical journey, watch the docu-short Music As Medicine: A James Casey Story and visit his official website for music, merch and more. James' story has previously been featured on Previously featured by The Today Show, The Atlantic's People V. Cancer, WNYC, and more. The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) is a non-profit organization founded in 2021 by gastroenterologists and hepatologists from across America for the purpose of addressing healthcare disparities in gastrointestinal and liver diseases disproportionately affecting Black communities. Their work seeks to promote health equity among Black communities; advance science and develop the careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists and scientists; and improve gastrointestinal health outcomes in Black communities through a network of support, resources and expert knowledge. Learn more at Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a leading patient-empowerment and advocacy organization in the United States, providing balanced and objective information on colon and rectal cancer research, treatment, and policy. We are relentless champions of hope, focused on funding promising, high-impact research endeavors while equipping advocates to influence legislation and policy for the collective good. Learn more at