Okay – so I know that exercise is very good for colorectal cancer survivors.

And I am definitely an advocate for healthy lifestyles. But I have to admit – this virtual walk that is raising money for Fight Colorectal Cancer is pretty stinking amazing.

Maybe that’s because my car is covered in a foot of snow and the last thing I want to do is walk or run outside.

So I am all for an opportunity to raise money simply by signing up for a virtual walk where I don’t have to fight the cold or even get up from my desk. There’s not even fundraising involved.

A few clicks (and the chance to make a computerized “me” from my Facebook picture) is not only fun -  but it’s easy.

Raising money for a great cause has never been so simple.

Join The Virtual Walk – Let’s beat this thing!

About the Virtual Walk

At Fight Colorectal Cancer we want the world to know about this treatable, beatable disease.

So when we got to stand alongside well-known faces on an iconic American platform today – we got a little giddy.

This morning we rang the opening bell of NASDAQ. But that’s not all.

An outstanding group of well-known colorectal cancer advocates joined us. Yes, we may or may not have asked for their autographs. Check out some of the guests who joined us:

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.

Our team of advocates from New Jersey and several Fight Colorectal Cancer staff members met Congressman Donald Payne (10th District, New Jersey) last week at the Call-on Congress. Payne lost his father to colorectal cancer last March and is a colorectal cancer advocate on the Hill. He is encouraging all colleagues in the House of Representatives to support additional funding for the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand the program nationally.

Dolly Lenz

Dolly is the vice chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman in New York City and a two-time colorectal cancer survivor. She appears on the HGTV show Selling New York and has sold four times more property than anyone in the country. It’s estimated that through 2007, she sold over $7 billion in property.

Daniel Apel

Daniel Apel is the President and CEO of Bayer Healthcare, LLC. We are thrilled to have him standing alongside us today! Bayer HealthCare sponsored our Times Square kickoff of One Million Strong. Bayer HealthCare and Fight Colorectal Cancer are proud to introduce the 2013 Virtual Walk to Fight Colorectal Cancer. For each participant, Bayer HealthCare will donate $2 (up to $40,000) to Fight Colorectal Cancer. Funding supports research, advocacy and awareness.

David Wicks

David Wicks is the Vice President of the NASDAQ MarketSite, Global programs and events – and products and strategy. He is also a board member of Fight Colorectal Cancer. David lost his father to colorectal cancer in 2012 and offers his strong voice to advocate for colorectal cancer awareness, screening and funding. He’s helped Fight Colorectal Cancer gain recognition throughout Times Square by arranging our One Million Strong PSAs to play over 18.7 hours on the NADSAQ tower and marquee through March.

Fight Colorecal Cancer Staff & Advocates

Of course, our die-hard team also traveled to NYC (just days after the Call-on Congress): Carlea Bauman, President; Anjee Davis, VP of Programs; and Kerranna Williamson, Program Coordinator.

And we had DOZENS of colorectal cancer survivors and advocates join us on stage, as well as a handful of board members.

What a fun morning and an honor to be back in New York City.

It’s just one more way we are working to fight for a cure for colorectal cancer.

Want to see more pics? Check out our Flickr stream!

Today was a BIG day. I mean a really BIG day.

We walked up and down long white hallways. Searching for the right offices, we passed American and state flags secured next to plaques with the names of our Congress men and women.

With our t-shirts on, blue bags strapped across our bodies and hands full of folders to deliver – we hit the Hill. And those on the hill noticed.

The girls on Hill staff wearing the cute dress suits said so themselves. Put over 80 CRC advocates on Capitol Hill – we’re sure to turn some heads!

While I want to describe every detail and paint a picture of what happened, I’ll leave you with my three main takeaways as someone new to the Call-on Congress:

1. There are members of Congress who fight for us and champion our cause!
2. Funding for health and medical research should be a bipartisan issue.
3. Never wear heels if you plan to advocate all day on Capitol Hill.

I’ll explain later.

Congressional Champions in our Court

Survivors, caregivers and advocates – be encouraged! Today we met with many leaders who support our cause. Because for some of them – it hits home.

• Congressman Charlie Dent‘s late brother-in-law was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in February 2010.
• Congressmen Jim McGovern’s wife’s best friend from college was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.
• Congressman Donald Payne‘s father (who served in Congress) passed away from colorectal cancer one year ago.

These three men in particular champion the fight against colorectal cancer in Congress. There are many other members who we met with today who “get it” now, too.

Many leaders support our cause and pledged to help us. We hope to see this support play out when it comes to co-sponsoring H.R. 1070 and supporting funding for the CDC.

Medical issues should be bipartisan

I sat amongst advocates and took notes as we presented an award to Congressman Jim McGovern – our 2013 Congressional Champion Award winner. As I admired his unique office decor – ranging from pennants of state colleges, ‘no more hunger’ posters and children’s artwork – it hit me.

I had no clue if he was a republican or democrat.

And honestly – it didn’t matter.

The issues we took to the Hill do not favor one side or the other. They favor the health of the voters and the best interest of the American public.

All politics aside – good policy took the stage today.

Never wear heels to the Call-on Congress

Ladies – you can thank me next year in case you try to make the same mistake I did today. Go for the flats – the heels are just not worth it.

Congressional offices are spread out amongst several buildings which means a long day of walking, stairs and elevators. After awhile the concrete floors get to you, especially in pumps. No pain, no gain – right?

And while I say that nonchalantly, it actually hits a deeper chord.

I’ve been through a lot worse than “I-wore-the-wrong-shoes” discomfort. The journey that led me to walk those halls today was much more painful.

But what I realized is that sometimes – pain is what it takes to see gain.

Tears rolled down Representative Payne’s face today as he told us about his father’s journey with colorectal cancer.

But it’s those tears of pain that lit the fire under Congressman Payne to support the fight against colorectal cancer. It’s those same tears that brought us to DC this week.

None of us like the circumstances that motivated us to come to Call-on Congress. But I’m so proud to stand amongst many others that pushed through the pain today.

Those who opened their wounds in order to create opportunities for others. Those who channeled their experience with colorectal cancer into advocacy that demands change.

Today, we let go of the pain in order to see legislative gain.

I couldn’t be more proud of this gang.

So tonight – we’re propping our feet up. A celebration dinner is underway.

And after tomorrow, I might or might not ever wear heels again.

Goooooooood morning!

Today is a big day. Our advocates at the 2013 Call-on Congress head to Capitol Hill. Meetings with senators, house representatives and subcommittee members abound!

It’s going to be a great day!

Not so fast… we need YOUR help.

Yes – you… if you’re reading this post, we’re talking to YOU.

Please help us boost the power of our advocates on the Hill today. We’ve got big priorities and big asks – and there’s a particular issue we need your help with.

Most likely – colorectal cancer impacted your life, or the life of your loved one.

So get involved in the fight with us today.

Here’s the scoop:

• Please call 1-866-615-3375

• Enter your zip code – you will be directed to your representative

• Tell them your name and where you are from

• Tell them:  You want them to support and co-sponsor the HR 1070 act (eliminates co-pays for screening colonoscopies in Medicare patients)

Your call will help us boost the message that colonoscopy screening should be available to millions.

If you don’t call and help us put colorectal cancer on the map … nobody will.

So call today!

Not so fast…

Before you go, a few things to remember:

• You will be calling your House of Representatives member.
• You can help spread the word – encourage others in your household, workplace, dinner party – whatever – to call in and vote.
• This will only take a few minutes of your time.

“The voices of people pulling together have got to be louder than the voice of those people pulling us apart.” – Martin B. Gold, MPA, JD

Call today – help us take the next step in our fight against colorectal cancer!

After you call – tweet at us and let us know you joined the fight!

I’ve never served in the military but I can only imagine what soldiers go through the night before they leave for deployment or battle.

Years of training and preparation lead up to the big day. It’s the military-version of starring on Broadway. It must feel similar to tonight – the hours before we hit the Hill during the Call-on Congress.

The fight against colorectal cancer feels like war sometimes. Battle after battle (or doctor’s visits, scans, surgeries and procedures) create a war on many fronts… whether you’re the patient in the hospital bed or the loved one holding their hand.

But after a day like today’s Call-on Congress, those of us in the fight feel like soldiers.

We’re prepped and ready to take action when it comes to legislation. We understand after today that Capitol Hill needs to get involved if we are going to win this war.

And tomorrow, it’s time to show them why.

Recognizing the research at stake

Yesterday we heard an overview of the importance of research. We received encouragement to channel our passion into advocacy. (Read the Monday recap.)

Today, we got into the nitty-gritty.

Clinical trials offer hope

Dr. Johanna Bendell (Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology Research at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute) delivered a presentation that:

• Explained the advancements in clinical trials and potential treatments on the horizon.
• Emphasized the importance of clinical trials.
• Offered explanations to big concepts in the colorectal cancer world in terms of biomarkers, pathway signaling, inhibitors, gene expressions and more.

Ultimately, she offered passionate insight into colorectal cancer research and treatment options. She injected hope that life-saving therapies sit on the horizon as research continues to receive funding and evolve.

Check out all of the slides to Dr. Bendell’s presentation

Survivorship studies involve millions

Andrea Dwyer (Project Director for the Colorado Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network) followed Dr. Bendell with insights into survivorship research. She showed the crowd:

• A population created by 1 million colorectal cancer survivors and the near 13 million cancer survivors.
• Efforts of researchers studying the transition from active treatment to survivorship.
• Benefits of a cancer registry.
• The impact of budget cuts on survivor research.

Andi encouraged a crowd of survivors and families that resources from survivorship studies will become available with ongoing survivor research.

Check out Andi’s presentation slides.

An Afternoon of Advocacy

Survivors swimming in the details after a morning of powerful presentations knew the clear message of our efforts:  We NEED research in order to find a cure for colorectal cancer. We NEED federal funding.

Fired up with facts (and a good dose of hope), we learned how to best deliver this information to Congress for the remainder of the afternoon.

Advocates sat through discussions, presentations and break-out sessions that discussed topics like:

• The Research Process
• The Legislative Process
• Importance of Engaging in Networks
• In-depth review of 2013 Legislative Priorities
• How to Prepare for the Hill
• How to tell our Stories and Prepare for Pushback
• How Congress Really Works

Thanks again to all of the speakers who participated:

• Nancy Roach (Chair & Founder of Fight Colorectal Cancer)
• Andi Dwyer (Project Director for the Colorado Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network)
• Dan Dixon, PhD (Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Cancer Center)
• Mary Doroshenk (Director of National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable)
• Camille Bonta (Fight Colorectal Cancer Policy Expert)
• Carlea Bauman (President of Fight Colorectal Cancer)
• Anjee Davis (VP of Programs for Fight Colorectal Cancer)
• Michael Sola (VP of Operations for Fight Colorectal Cancer)
• Devin James (CEO of Devin James Group)
• Christoper Kush (President of Soapbox Consulting)
• Martin B. Gold, MPA, JD

We’re Ready for the Hill

A packed agenda of research and policy meetings made for a long day.

But we did get cupcakes in the middle of the afternoon. How sweet.

Tonight, we soak in the policies. Rehearse our stories. Recite the “asks.” Take deep breaths.

Because tomorrow… it’s showtime.

We’re ready to ask for change when it comes to fighting colorectal cancer and federal funds.

We’re here to demand a cure.

Connect With Fight Colorectal Cancer

Want to see more from Day Two – 2013 Call-on Congress?

Read our Twitter and check out Facebook.

Look for hashtag #ConC2013 or tags from @FightCRC

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