PALO ALTO, Calif. – September 10, 2026 – Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced the launch of a national, multi-million dollar television and digital advertising campaign featuring actor and cancer advocate Patrick Dempsey calling on Americans to prioritize their colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings.
The national campaign memorializes people who have lost their lives to colorectal cancer in recent years, recognizing the lasting impact the disease has on families and communities and emphasizing the importance of timely screening in the fight against CRC amid rising rates for adults under 65 and younger adults. In the tribute video, Dempsey emphasizes the importance of early screenings in the fight against CRC while highlighting Shield™, the leading blood test for CRC screening detection and the first FDA-approved blood test for primary colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults age 45 and older.
“Seeing how many lives we’ve lost to colorectal cancer is heartbreaking, especially when it’s largely preventable through early, regular screening. Despite this, over 50 million Americans today continue to delay their lifesaving screenings. That’s why I chose to screen with Guardant’s Shield blood test that makes it quick and easy to complete your lifesaving cancer screening with just a blood draw,” said Patrick Dempsey. “If you’re 45 and over and at average risk for CRC, the most important step you can take for you and your loved ones is to get screened and not wait. Talk to your doctor about screening options, including the Shield blood test that is making screening easier to complete.”
Colorectal cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States and recently became the leading cause of cancer death among adults under 50. Developed by the pioneers of oncology blood testing at Guardant Health, with more than a million blood tests performed, the Shield blood test provides Americans the ability to screen for CRC with just a blood draw during a routine doctor’s visit, providing a more accessible screening option that overcomes the barriers associated with traditional methods.
“We’re honored to partner with Patrick to pay tribute to Americans across the country who have died from colorectal cancer and ensure their legacy as fierce screening advocates lives on through a powerful call for screening and the importance of early detection,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO.“Shield was purpose-built to reach the millions of Americans who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening by offering a more accessible option. By removing the barriers that keep too many from getting screened, we can help detect more cancers earlier, save more lives and spare more families from the devastating impact of this disease.”
The multi-million campaign will run nationally across cable networks as well as online, streaming and social media platforms.
For more information about the Shield blood test, visit ShieldBloodTest.com.
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About Shield
Shield is a methylation partitioning cell-free DNA (mp-cfDNA) non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.
About Guardant Health
Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.
About The Dempsey Center
The Dempsey Center was founded by actor Patrick Dempsey in 2008 after his mother’s experience with cancer and as a way to give back to his hometown community of Lewiston, Maine. Today, the Dempsey Center has grown to two locations in Lewiston and Westbrook, Maine, a hospitality home in Portland, Maine, and has adapted to providing robust support virtually via Dempsey Connects. Our programs provide a wide range of comprehensive supportive cancer care that address the physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being of people impacted by cancer. All services are provided at no cost to cancer patients, survivors, care partners, family members, and friends. Learn more by visiting DempseyCenter.org.
