[Our dear friend and advocate Pat Steer passed away on July 17, 2012. This was the last blog post she wrote for us.]

My friend Janet asked me last week if there were still things I wished I could do, any unfinished things on my bucket list. I thought for a minute before I said, “No.”

I’m sure Janet expected something like a wish to visit the Grand Canyon or take that cross-country sleeper train trip I’d always promised myself. What I really wanted to say, the first thing that came to mind: “I want to be strong enough to go upstairs and do a load of laundry.” Inconsequential as it seems, climbing the stairs to do laundry is where my head went when asked about my bucket list.

I never had a formal bucket list; instead, I created long-term goals. Despite all the goal-maker’s advice, mine were never written down, and were flexible, but I did get to most of them. I didn’t make yearly resolutions; I made training goals for my dogs. I set goals to pay off credit cards and become debt-free (and did it). I set a goal to pay off my condo in 10 years (and did it). Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Indran Krishnan and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal

Indran Krishnan, MD, FRCP (London), FRCP(C), FACP, FACG is fighting colorectal cancer on many fronts. As a gastroenterologist, he personally screens people every week. As an associate professor at Emory University, he trains the next generation of physicians. As an advocate, he serves on Fight Colorectal Cancer’s Board of Directors, and was a founding member of the Georgia Colon Cancer Coalition. In the first 4 months of 2012, Indran stepped up his efforts by:

• Meeting with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and members of the Georgia legislature to introduce them to Fight Colorectal Cancer and spread the word about screening;
• Attending this year’s Call-on Congress, our annual advocacy training and lobby day; Read the rest of this entry »

Click Here to Get updates from Fight Colorectal Cancer

The first four sites where colorectal cancer patients can get regorafenib are now open.  Bayer Healthcare expects to open additional sites in the next two or three weeks.

Colorectal cancer patients whose cancer has gotten worse on all standard treatments can now be considered for the Regorafenib Extended Access program.

Bayer Healthcare has applied for FDA approval of regorafenib to treat colorectal cancer, but until it is actually approved and on the market, the expanded access program is the only way patients who might benefit can receive it.

Last fall, early results from the randomized Phase 3 CORRECT clinical trial showed colorectal cancer patients who received regorafenib lived longer than a similar group who got a placebo. Read the rest of this entry »

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and May 13th will be here before you know it.  Fight Colorectal Cancer is happy to make gift buying even easier while also providing the opportunity for your purchase to give back.

Through our partnership with We-Care.com, our supporters can shop for these great gifts and earn a donation with every purchase. One of these gifts could make this special day a little more special for Mom, and when you shop through our provided links, your purchase will be even more special. Happy Shopping!

1-800-Flowers creates beautiful arrangements that will brighten Mom’s days; every time she passes she’ll be reminded of your love. 15% off Mother’s Day flowers with coupon code MOMDAY15 (8% donation)

Go to RitzPix.com with a picture of you and your mother or the whole family and print it into a work of art. 50% OFF a canvas wrapped photo at RitzPix.com with coupon code CANVAS50 (10% Donation)

Visit cardstore.com to find the simplest way to show Mom your love with by creating a personalized card or message. The Mother’s Day Cards are great at Cardstore.com (5% Donation)

Harry & David is one of the best ways to treat Mom to some delicious chocolates or fresh fruit and they have the most elegant baskets to show your Mother you care. Free Shipping on great gifts for “Mom” from Harry & David (6% Donation)

The FDA reminds patients who use fentanyl patches for pain to take special care storing, using, and discarding them.

Recently the FDA evaluated 26 cases of children’s accidents that involved the patches including 10 deaths and 12 hospitalizations. Sixteen children were under two years of age.

Problems included curious children finding patches in the trash or stored within their reach. In addition, loose patches transferred the potent narcotic medicine to children who were being held or carried. Even used patches can still contain significant amounts of fentanyl, enough to seriously hurt a child.

Before using either the brand name Duragesic® or generic fentanyl transdermal system patches, read the FDA approved Medication Guide. Read the rest of this entry »