Washington, DC – Fight Colorectal Cancer hosts their 6th Annual Call-on Congress beginning today, in Washington, DC.

More than 60 advocates, including colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians and researchers, are gathering in the nation’s capital this week to hear from experts about current research and cancer control programs and to take part in advocacy activities on Capitol Hill.

“Our volunteers are activists who are bringing the fight against colorectal cancer to Washington to get more attention and more funding for this disease,” said Fight Colorectal Cancer President Carlea Bauman. “By speaking up and demanding change, they are making a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer.”

Advocates arrive in Washington today for the start of Call-on Congress

Tomorrow, advocates will receive training on how to have effective meetings with their legislators. On Wednesday, March 7th, the advocates will participate in more than 80 meetings in Congress to ask for support for the following pieces of legislation:

• Medicare Cost Sharing for Screening Colonoscopy.  This legislation will amend current law to waive coinsurance for colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy by correcting the coinsurance gap that exists under current Medicare policy.  Although colorectal cancer screening is covered by Medicare, beneficiaries may still be liable for coinsurance  if a polyp is detected and removed, because the screening can be reclassified as a diagnostic procedure.

Fight Colorectal Cancer asks Congress to support legislation that waives coinsurance for screening colonoscopy that also involves removal of polyps during the same encounter.

• Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Colorectal Cancer Control Program. Currently the program provides funding to 25 states and four tribal organizations for colorectal cancer screening targeted at low-income men and women, aged 50-64,who are uninsured or underinsured.  The CDC has set a goal in 2012 of screening 66 percent of adults aged 50-75 and a long-term screening goal of 88 percent by the year 2020.  Reaching these goals requires a commitment from Congress.

Fight Colorectal Cancer asks Congress to fund the Colorectal Cancer Control program at $70 million in the next fiscal year, which will allow the program to be expanded nationally. 

• Funding for Colorectal Cancer Research.  Advocates will ask members of Congress to demonstrate their commitment to colorectal cancer research by taking two important actions:

Support an increase in funding to the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). Funding for the PRCRP was cut 29 percent  last year.

Fight Colorectal Cancer asks Congress to provide $16 million in FY 2013 for the PRCRP to restore funding to FY 2011 levels.

Support increased funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI is one of 27 institutes at the National Institutes of Health and leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death from cancer.

Fight Colorectal Cancer asks Congress to fund the NIH at $32.7 billion in FY2013, which will provide NCI with $5.36 billion in funding.

Follow updates from Call-on Congress at FightColorectalCancer.org, Facebook, and Twitter (hashtag #ConC2012).

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Add a Twibbon to your Facebook & Twitter pic!

As Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month kicks off, we’re launching a new Blue Star Twibbon in partnership with My Colon Cancer Coach, to unite survivors, loved ones and advocates under a common symbol of support. Many of you are already participating in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re thrilled to have your support as we head to Capitol Hill for Call-on Congress this week.

If you’ve never heard of a Twibbon, it’s basically a small image that overlays the corner of your Twitter or Facebook profile image, calling attention to colorectal cancer awareness and signifying your support for this cause. By adding one, you will:

• Raise awareness about the second-leading cancer killer in the United States among your social circles online
• Encourage more dialogue about colorectal cancer, including  legislation to promote prevention, screening and treatment
• Be a part of the movement for change and find new like-minded supporters and advocates

Throughout March and beyond, we would love for you to join this online community by adding the Blue Star Twibbon. Just visit the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Twibbon page to add yours today – and spread the word to others!

Knowing what the signs of colorectal cancer are and talking to your doctor about them – no matter what your age – is one of the key messages that Fight Colorectal Cancer President Carlea Bauman conveyed in her recent interview with Comcast Newsmakers.

In the weeks leading up to March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Washington, DC, Comcast station is broadcasting this piece to make people aware of the disease, as well as the work that Fight Colorectal Cancer is doing locally and around the country.

Comcast Newsmakers is a unique news program that provides community leaders with a platform to discuss issues and ideas important to the communities they serve allowing them to better connect with their constituents and the community at large. Fight Colorectal Cancer thanks the station for airing this vital public service announcement.

Another year, full of hope and promises.

Won’t you help make our dream of a world free from colorectal cancer come true in 2012.

• Raise awareness that screening prevents colorectal cancer. Make sure you, your family, and your friends are screened for colorectal cancer as soon you reach 50 — earlier if you are at higher risk.
• Tell your friends living with colon or rectal cancer that they can call the Answer Line with their questions and concerns.
• Join us for supportive discussions in the Fight Colorectal Support Community and let others know they’ll find help there.
• Come to Call on Congress and make sure that programs and funding for colorectal cancer prevention and research are strong and growing.
• Finally, do one last, very important thing in 2011 – Make a gift to Fight Colorectal Cancer and ensure that our programs and research grants continue in 2012 and until we end suffering and death from colon and rectal cancer.

Have a great New Year — and get behind the cure.

On Wednesday night, Dr. Lindsey Poppe, the Pharmacy Clinical Manager for Oncology for the University of North Carolina hospital system talked about the alternatives and options that patients have when directly faced with the current chemo drug shortage.

You can watch a recording of the webinar on our website, along with all of our past patient webinars.

Webinar: What to Do When Your Doc is Out of 5-FU from Fight Colorectal Cancer on Vimeo.