The inflatable colon is a larger-than-life cancer prevention tool. (Twitter Photo via @FredHutch)

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle wants to raise awareness about colorectal health in underserved communities across Washington state. But first it needs your help in naming a giant, inflatable colon.

Fred Hutch tweeted details about a contest it’s running called “Name the Colon!” in which ideas for creative, cute or funny names will be welcomed for the attention-getting education tool.

The organization stresses that family friendly language, with no profanities, is a necessity for entries and offers up “Nolan the Colon” and “Colon the Barbarian” as examples.

GeekWire’s Slack channel provided an early indication of where things might go. Aerospace and science editor Alan Boyle liked “Cristobal Colon,” the Spanish name for explorer Christopher Columbus. Cloud and enterprise editor Tom Krazit, a true baseball fan, was leaning toward “Bartolo,” a popular selection based on the name of MLB pitcher Bartolo Colon. His name is actually pronounced “cologne” — just ask The Seattle Times.

The Fred Hutch / University of Washington Cancer Consortium and The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement staff will review all entries and vote on a winner by June 30. That winner will receive a $50 gift card.

The blow-up colons are serious business in cancer awareness circles, and can range in price from $4,000 to $7,500, depending on size. The model can show off various stages of disease and offer explanations of normal colon tissue, Crohn’s disease, polyp, malignant polyp, colon cancer and advanced colon cancer, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

According to Cancer.org, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women in the United States.

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