Craig Melvin, beloved cohost of the Today Show, recently shared a heartfelt announcement about a cause that is deeply personal to him.
The NBC personality took to Instagram on March 2 to unveil his latest initiative aimed at raising awareness for colorectal cancer,
a disease that claimed the life of his older brother, Lawrence Meadows, in 2020.
In his post, Melvin introduced a specially designed Today-themed blue and orange quarter-zip pullover and a matching sock set, both featuring a small blue ribbon emblem.
This initiative is an expansion of his efforts from the previous year when he created a custom Today tie and sock set in honor of his late brother.
“Big announcement!” Melvin excitedly wrote in the caption.
“Last year, I was inspired to design and create a TODAY tie and sock set in honor of my brother, Lawrence, who passed away from colorectal cancer back in 2020. This year, I went the sportier route and designed a quarter-zip and sock set. With your help, we can raise greater awareness about the importance of preventive screening.”
The exclusive apparel collection is available both online and in person at The Shop at NBC Studios, giving fans and supporters the opportunity to contribute to an important cause. Melvin also shared an additional piece of uplifting news: NBCUniversal will be making a donation to support the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The following day, Melvin posted a video update, reminding his followers that the socks and pullover were officially available for purchase.
“March, as you probably know, is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,” he said in the clip. “In honor of that and in honor of my brother, who I lost to the dreadful disease several years ago now, we’ve designed a few items that you can buy in the shop to help support the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s mission to end colorectal cancer in our lifetime.”
With a touch of humor, Melvin playfully boasted about his fashionable creation. “First of all, these socks are hot, and I’m not just saying that because I designed them myself. I’m wearing the socks,” he quipped before highlighting the quarter-zip pullover’s comfort. The pullover, designed in collaboration with Land’s End, is another stylish way for supporters to join the fight against colorectal cancer.
Melvin’s advocacy for colorectal cancer awareness stems from his family’s personal loss. In February 2017, he publicly revealed that his brother, Lawrence, had been diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Lawrence’s journey with the disease began when doctors discovered a baseball-sized tumor in his abdomen in 2016. Despite undergoing chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the cancer continued to spread. Tragically, Lawrence passed away at the age of 43 in December 2020.
At the time of his brother’s passing, Melvin shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, honoring his memory and his efforts to raise awareness about the disease.
“We lost our older brother this week. Lawrence Meadows was a husband (to Angela, his childhood sweetheart), father (to Addie, 11 and Lawson, 7), Baptist minister, entrepreneur, and one of the best human beings you would’ve ever known,” Melvin wrote. “Colon cancer robbed him and us of so much. He was diagnosed at 39. He died Wednesday at 43. He spent a fair amount of time over the past few years raising awareness about the disease. We’ll be keeping up that fight. We love you, bro.”
Melvin remains committed to carrying on his brother’s legacy by continuing to spread awareness about colorectal cancer and encouraging early detection through preventive screenings. His latest collaboration, blending style with purpose, is another step in his mission to make a lasting impact in the fight against this devastating disease.
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