Andrea Kramer

Story: "I was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in 2007. Later in 2009, my friend, Helene Byrnes and I started raising money for Fight Colorectal Cancer's research program. Most people focus on awareness and prevention issues, I wholeheartedly spend my time and money on those great goals as well. However, I am passionate about supporting research for a cure. This is an area where far fewer people are focusing, maybe because it is the harder battle? Either way, I think it is a very worthwhile fight. Let's face it, for those of us who are the million-strong survivors who have had or currently have colorectal cancer, the awareness, and prevention ship has sailed. Research is our best and only hope. We are alive because someone before us funded the research to develop the drugs and procedures that have kept us going. We have a responsibility to keep that going.

"Fight CRC's research efforts are making real progress! One of our researchers has developed a novel drug combination that is close to the clinical trial phase. I can't wait for the day, that one of the many researchers we have funded develops a cure, or at the very least, a new therapy that makes a real difference in survival."

Advice: "Join us! You don't have to fight this battle alone. If you want to support research, your donations can be made through Fight Colorectal Cancer's website. Please make sure you click on the Lisa Fund in order to donate specifically for medical research! It is CRAZY that 100 percent of the money you donate will go directly to funding research."

"Not only should we fight our own individual battle with this disease, but we also should fight for others. We can do this through lobbying to provide awareness and prevention programs, access to care, or supporting Fight CRC's efforts to provide information about treatment and fund new research."