Seniors’ access to a screening colonoscopy is at risk and YOU can help!

We need you to continue to add your voice and urge your Representative to support H.R. 4120! Simply submit an Action Alert.

H.R. 4120, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2012, will fix a regulation that requires Medicare beneficiaries to pay coinsurance when their screening colonoscopy involves the removal of a polyp. The current policy can cost patients $100 to $300 and serve as a deterrent to screening.

We need cosponsors for this legislation if it is to pass into law & YOU can help!

In last night’s monthly webinar, colorectal cancer patients were given access to a nutritionist who specializes in helping cancer patients. Kimberly Moore Petersen of the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation was the presenter for our March 2012 webinar, “Shape Your Plate to Fight Colorectal Cancer.”

Extensive research has shown that diet and physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of tumor recurrence. Recently, the American Cancer Society issued new Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention.

But what does that mean for patients making day to day lifestyle choices? Find out in this webinar.

It’s been two weeks since the launch of the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Twibbon and we’re delighted to report that we have surpassed the 250-Twibbon mark!

Add this "twibute" to your Twitter background!

We would love to continue spreading awareness, so for those of you interested in showing your virtual support, you can still add the Twibbon to your Twitter avatar and/or add the Twibbon to your Facebook profile picture.

You can even go a step beyond and change your background to the 250-Person Twibute during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – a collage of all of you who have joined in this important cause. This is a great, easy way to get your friends and followers talking more about colorectal cancer and why there is such a need for funding for prevention and treatment research.

A big thank you to all those who have added a Twibbon so far – we appreciate all of your support in getting the word out!

Fight Colorectal Cancer advocates from around the country took the fight against the disease to Capitol Hill Wednesday to ask lawmakers for their support for legislation that will fund cancer research and screening programs.

Advocates held more than 85 meetings on Capitol Hill, capping two days of training sessions during Fight Colorectal Cancer’s 6th annual Call-on Congress Conference, held March 5 – 7. Sessions held by cancer experts, researchers and Fight Colorectal Cancer staff armed advocates with statistics, talking points and information about key legislation to combat colorectal cancer.  More than 60 advocates, who traveled from 22 states, participated in the conference and were encouraged to share their personal stories of battling the disease.

Liz Dennis, a survivor of stage III colorectal cancer, traveled to Washington, DC, from Arizona to share her personal story about colorectal cancer, and to ask her lawmakers to commit to funding for screening programs and research so that fewer people have the same experience. “I never want to go through that battle again,” she said. “And I have lost too many friends to this disease. I am here because I am determined to see a cure for colorectal cancer in my lifetime.”

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On Tuesday, March 6, Fight Colorectal Cancer advocates attending the 6th annual Call-on Congress heard from staff and experts about the challenges to spreading awareness of and increasing research into colorectal cancer amid national budget challenges.

Erica and Ethan Lee of Sacramento, Calif., participate in Call-on Congress training sessions.

Training sessions with Fight Colorectal Cancer staff gave advocates a real world view of the policy and legislative landscape for colorectal cancer. They were given information about key legislation, statistics and talking points for their meetings with lawmakers that will occur on Wednesday.

“It’s so exciting to be here in Washington and on Capitol Hill to see how it all works,” said Erica Lee, an advocate from California who is attending the conference. “It’s easy to complain about ‘politicians in Washington, DC,’ but here I’m part of the solution.” Erica recently lost her mother, Diane, to colorectal cancer.

Advocates can also access a virtual toolbox of outreach strategies, via the Fight Colorectal Cancer website under the Policy and Advocacy tab. Anyone interested in proposed legislation that Fight Colorectal Cancer supports can also find information in the Action Center.

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