National Dress in Blue Day is held on the first Friday of March during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Organised by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the day encourages people across the United States to wear blue clothing to raise awareness of colorectal cancer — the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the country.
What is National Dress in Blue Day?
National Dress in Blue Day is an annual awareness campaign held on the first Friday of March during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Organised by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the day encourages people across the United States to wear blue clothing to raise awareness of colorectal cancer — the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. when men and women are combined. The blue star serves as the symbol of those affected, much as the pink ribbon represents breast cancer awareness.
When is National Dress in Blue Day?
National Dress in Blue Day falls on the first Friday of March each year. In 2026, that is Friday, 6 March. The day sits within National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout March.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 6 March |
| 2027 | Friday, 5 March |
| 2028 | Friday, 3 March |
| 2029 | Friday, 2 March |
| 2030 | Friday, 1 March |
Why National Dress in Blue Day Matters
Colorectal cancer is a disease that thrives on silence. Many people avoid screening because the topic feels uncomfortable, yet early detection through colonoscopy or stool tests can catch the disease when it is most treatable — often before symptoms even appear. An estimated 154,270 people in the United States received a colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2025, and more than 1.5 million Americans are currently living as patients or survivors. When caught early at a localised stage, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. But when diagnosed at a late stage, that figure drops dramatically. Wearing blue on this day is a small, visible act that starts conversations and, in doing so, can genuinely save lives.
How to Get Involved in National Dress in Blue Day
Taking part is simple, and every action raises the profile of a disease that claims far too many lives:
- Wear blue on 6 March — A blue shirt, tie, scarf, dress, or even blue nail polish. The colour is the message. Wear it proudly and be prepared to explain why when people ask.
- Share a photo on social media — Post your blue outfit using #DressInBlueDay and tag the Colorectal Cancer Alliance on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, or TikTok. Your post could reach someone who has been putting off a screening.
- Organise a workplace or school blue day — Rally your colleagues or classmates to dress in blue together. Some organisations pair the day with an educational lunch-and-learn about colorectal cancer screening guidelines.
- Talk about screening — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45. If you are eligible, schedule your screening. If you have already been screened, encourage a friend or family member to do the same.
- Donate to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance — The Alliance funds research, patient support, and advocacy. Contributions of any size help advance the mission of ending colorectal cancer.
- Honour someone affected — Dedicate your blue attire to a loved one who has battled colorectal cancer. Share their story to put a human face on the statistics.
- Purchase blue merchandise — The Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers blue-themed items including shirts, wristbands, and pins, with proceeds supporting their programmes.
History of National Dress in Blue Day
The story of Dress in Blue Day begins with one woman’s refusal to let a devastating diagnosis define her legacy. Anita Mitchell, a Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer and member of the Never Too Young Advisory Board, was battling stage IV colon cancer when she lost her father and a close friend to the same disease. Determined to break through the stigma and silence surrounding colorectal cancer, she approached her children’s school in 2006 and coordinated a day where the entire school wore blue.
The response was overwhelming. Students, teachers, and parents embraced the idea, and the day generated real conversations about a cancer that many people were reluctant to discuss. Encouraged by the success, Mitchell brought the concept to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in 2009, which expanded it into a national programme.
Since then, Dress in Blue Day has grown into one of the most visible colorectal cancer awareness events in the country. Schools, hospitals, corporations, sports teams, and government buildings now participate each year, turning the first Friday of March into a sea of blue. The campaign has also extended its reach internationally, with participants in several countries joining the effort to raise awareness about screening and early detection.
Noteworthy Facts About National Dress in Blue Day
- Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related death when men and women are combined.
- An estimated 154,270 Americans received a colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2025, and over 1.5 million are living as patients or survivors.
- When detected early at a localised stage, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer exceeds 90%.
- The blue star is the universal symbol for colorectal cancer awareness, serving the same role as the pink ribbon does for breast cancer.
- Screening is recommended from age 45 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, lowered from the previous recommendation of 50 due to rising rates in younger adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Dress in Blue Day?
National Dress in Blue Day is an annual campaign on the first Friday of March that encourages people to wear blue to raise awareness of colorectal cancer during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It is organised by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
When is National Dress in Blue Day in 2026?
National Dress in Blue Day is on Friday, 6 March 2026.
Who started Dress in Blue Day?
Anita Mitchell, a colon cancer survivor and Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer, originated the concept in 2006. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance adopted it as a national campaign in 2009.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Dress in Blue Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #DressInBlueDay and #DressInBlueDay2026 on social media. A simple blue outfit and a shared post could remind someone to book the screening that saves their life.
Related Awareness Days
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — The month-long campaign in March that Dress in Blue Day sits within, focused on screening, prevention, and research.
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month — Another March awareness month highlighting a cancer that depends on early detection for better outcomes.
- Walk All Over Cancer — A March challenge encouraging people to walk 10,000 steps a day to raise funds for cancer research.
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