On Tuesday, March 6, Fight Colorectal Cancer advocates attending the 6th annual Call-on Congress heard from staff and experts about the challenges to spreading awareness of and increasing research into colorectal cancer amid national budget challenges.

Erica and Ethan Lee of Sacramento, Calif., participate in Call-on Congress training sessions.

Training sessions with Fight Colorectal Cancer staff gave advocates a real world view of the policy and legislative landscape for colorectal cancer. They were given information about key legislation, statistics and talking points for their meetings with lawmakers that will occur on Wednesday.

“It’s so exciting to be here in Washington and on Capitol Hill to see how it all works,” said Erica Lee, an advocate from California who is attending the conference. “It’s easy to complain about ‘politicians in Washington, DC,’ but here I’m part of the solution.” Erica recently lost her mother, Diane, to colorectal cancer.

Advocates can also access a virtual toolbox of outreach strategies, via the Fight Colorectal Cancer website under the Policy and Advocacy tab. Anyone interested in proposed legislation that Fight Colorectal Cancer supports can also find information in the Action Center.

Speakers included Dr. Jon Chung, a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences. He is also Fight Colorectal Cancer’s 2011 Lisa Fund Research Grant recipient. Dr. Chung addressed the challenges young researchers have in getting their work funded as research budgets shrink, and the threat it poses to emerging research and drug development.

His remarks were followed by Dr. John Marshall, the clinical director of oncology at Georgetown University Hospital and a global leader in the research and development of drugs for colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. In a difficult budget climate, Dr. Marshall addressed the challenges to sustain adequate levels of funding for cancer research programs.

At the end of their training, advocates received their Capitol Hill meeting schedules, and the groups that were assigned to attend meetings together rehearsed their talking points.

“I’m nervous, I’m excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow to get here. On the other hand, I’m glad I have some time to let all this information sink in,” said Erica. “It’s been a long day, but invigorating.”

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

Join Fight Colorectal Cancer March 5 – 7, 2012 in Washington, DC

Registration is now open!

“You can be a housewife in Texas or a lawyer in Washington, and your story, your passion – that is what is going to make the change.” – Suzanne Lindley, 2010 Call-on Congress Advocate

Ballots are still being counted in some districts, but one thing is already clear – the 112th Congress will have the largest freshmen class in years. In January, at least 95 new Representatives and 16 new Senators will come to Washington.

The only way we will get the newest members of Congress to make the fight against colorectal cancer a top legislative priority is if we tell them why it should be a priority. Come climb the steps of the Capitol with us.

We need your voice at the 2011 Call-on Congress on March 8-9.

Bring your cancer story to the halls of Congress and make a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer.

Take a look at the agenda and register today.

It is more important than ever that we talk to Congress about the importance of funding colorectal cancer research – hundreds of new Members are waiting to hear from you.

“We do not have a government of the majority. We have a government of the majority who participate.” – President Thomas Jefferson

The summer 2010 issue of C3′s printed newsletter Momentum is now available online.

Some headlines from this issue:

• Palliative Care: Not Just for End of Life
• Listening to the Little Voice
• Patient to Patient Advice for Caregivers
• Health Care Reform & Cancer: Your Implementation Guide

You’ll also read testimonials from advocates who attended the C3 Call-on Congress in March and learn about the young, innovative researcher who is looking into new treatments for late stage colorectal cancer, thanks to a grant from C3.

To receive Momentum free at home, sign up at the C3 Action Center.

Verna Cox is 60 year old two-time stage III colon cancer survivor from Philadelphia, PA.  This March, for the third year in a row, Verna celebrated Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by attending C3′s Call-on Congress.

Verna traveled to DC to participate in the 2010 Call-on Congress because:

“I’m back attending because we still haven’t reached our goal of having a colorectal Cancer prevention, early detection and treatment act passed into law.

Read more about Verna’s story in the City Suburban News.

Take five minutes today and help Verna reach her goal of seeing a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program enacted into law.  Call 1-866-615-3375 anytime from 9 AM to 5:30 PM EDT, and ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 1189.

Don’t know what to say when you call?  We have a detailed script that you can use.