An FDA task force has been formed to examine transparency at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “President Obama has pledged to strengthen our democracy by creating an unprecedented level of openness and public participation in government, and the FDA looks forward to participating in this process,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “I have asked the Transparency Task Force to deliver recommendations to me for ways to make more information available and foster better understanding of decision-making.”

One public meeting has been held, and a request for public comments has been posted. C3 provided comments urging FDA to review transparency requirements to ensure that the public is given accurate information both pre- and post-approval. Read the rest of this entry »

The Beacham Family In Their Cover Your Butt Shirts at the 2009 Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon

When Brian Beacham decided to run in his second triathlon he knew that this one would have a more significant meaning but he wasn’t able to anticipate what an emotional experience it would become.

On February 13, 2008, Brian’s future brother-in-law, Billy, as family and friends referred to him, was diagnosed with colon cancer that had also spread to his lymph nodes and liver.  After originally deciding to participate in the 2009 Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon for a second time, Brian decided that he also wanted to dedicate his efforts to help raise awareness and money for the fight against colorectal cancer in Billy’s honor. Continue reading…

Senator Ted Kennedy

Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), recently released The Affordable Health Choices Act. The bill aims to reduce health care costs, protect individuals’ choices of doctors, hospitals and insurance plans and guarantee, quality and affordable health care for all Americans. Read the rest of this entry »

Can a computerized system that monitors patient responsiveness and oxygen levels provide safe sedation using propofol during colonoscopy without a trained anesthetist present?

While not making a recommendation, C3 brought both its positive impressions and its concerns to consideration of a computer-assisted personalized sedation system  for endoscopy procedures to the Food and Drug Administration’s Anesthesiology and Respiratory Therapy Devices Panel (ARTDP) on May 28. Read the rest of this entry »

C3 wishes moms everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day!

Today we especially honor

• Mothers fighting their own colon or rectal cancer.
• Mothers who are taking care of a loved one with cancer.
• Mothers who died from colorectal cancer.

Help us make sure that future mothers don’t have to face the same struggle.

Join our push for prevention and better treatment of colorectal cancer with a gift in honor of your mother.

• You can make a secure gift online for C3′s work.
• Or you might want to donate specifically to the Lisa Fund for colorectal cancer research.

Thank you!