Each year, the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, in conjunction with the American Association for Cancer Research, awards a research grant to a scientist exploring cutting edge ways to combat late stage colorectal cancer.

Dr. Rona Yaeger at work in her lab

The grant is fully funded through donations to the Coalition’s Lisa Fund, named after one of our founders, Lisa Dubow. The 2010 grant went to Dr. Rona Yaeger, a researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Coalition Board member Dr. Steven Depp, his wife Bonnie and Dr. Rona Yaeger

Last week, Coalition Board member Dr. Steven Depp, his wife Bonnie and I were invited into Dr. Yaeger’s lab. We watched her set up her gel electrophoresis apparatus to separate proteins. It is part of her goal to inhibit key signaling pathways in colorectal cancer.

Watching her research in action – especially research that we are responsible for – was a real thrill and we told Dr. Yaeger so. We all felt quite honored to be in that lab with her.

And, make no mistake, when I say “research we are responsible for,” I’m talking about every person who has contributed to the Lisa Fund. I wish we could have had all of you in there with us; you were certainly there in our hearts.

Help this research continue! Make a donation to the Lisa Fund today. Thank you so very much.

The Colorectal Cancer Coalition is pleased to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors.

Andrea Kramer was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in 2007. She became involved with the Coalition soon after. She strongly supports research into later stages of colon and rectal cancer and is committed to growing the Coalition’s Lisa Fund. In addition to her work with the Coalition, she volunteers as a patient navigator and driver for the American Cancer Society. She and her family live in Rye, New York.

Dr. Indran Krishnan is a board certified gastroenterologist practicing in Lawrenceville, Georgia and a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Emory University Medical School in Atlanta. He developed a special passion for colorectal cancer prevention after becoming close with some of his patients. He is committed to raising awareness for colorectal cancer prevention and serves on several task forces, boards and associations to accomplish that.

“The Colorectal Cancer Coalition Board of Directors is thrilled to have Andrea and Indran help us fight this disease. They bring a personal commitment and a breadth of experience that will be invaluable as we move the organization forward,” stated Board chair Nancy Roach.

Read more about the Colorectal Cancer Coalition’s Board of Directors.

Colorectal cancer is the most preventable and beatable cancer if detected early. That’s why you need to Find it First.

Olympus and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition are joining forces to encourage at-risk Americans to commit to being screened for colon or rectal cancer. If you are age 50 or older, have family history of colorectal cancer or have other risk factors, you should commit to be screened at FinditFirst.com.

For each screening commitment, Olympus will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the Coalition. In addition to making a commitment to be screened, visitors will also be invited to join Olympus and the Coalition in urging their Members of Congress to support legislation that ensures all Americans access to life-saving colorectal cancer screening.

Make the commitment at FinditFirst.com, get screened and tell your friends and loved ones!

On Monday, September 20th, the Colorectal Cancer Coalition held a free patient webinar on the issue facing patients diagnosed with stage II colon cancer: chemo, or not?

Coalition staff Kate Murphy and Kim Ryan were joined by Dr. John L. Marshall of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to discuss this issue and took questions from patients at the end. You can view the webinar here:

Stage II Colon Cancer: Chemo or Not? Find Your Solution

Stage II colon cancer patients face tough decisions about whether the possible benefits of chemotherapy outweigh its risks and challenges. The Coalition is grateful to Dr. Marshall for helping patients explore this issue.

In the past, we have held quarterly conference calls to hear from you about the great work each and every one of you has been doing in the fight against colorectal cancer and to update you on what we have been working on and what Congress has been up to. But you all have been doing too much for us to only hear from you once a quarter!

Starting next month, we will be holding advocate chats once a month. The calls will be held on the first Wednesday of every month at 8:15PM EDT.

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