The 2013 Call-on Congress will be big. Over 80 colorectal cancer advocates plan to attend. Presentations and exercises make for a full agenda. Our legislative priorities will be heard!

But, what if you cannot be in Washington DC with us next week?

Big news – we still NEED your help.

United Behind a Cure – Call-in on March 20

Next Wednesday, Fight Colorectal Cancer will join with other colorectal cancer groups to sponsor the United Behind A Cure Congressional Call-in.

While our team of advocates meet with their representatives on Capitol Hill, we need YOU to call and make your voice heard. By calling in, you magnify our message and the power of our advocates on Capitol Hill.

Here’s the scoop:

Please call this number:

1-866-615-3375

It will connect you with your member of Congress. Please tell them:

You support H.R. 1070, a bill in Congress that will cut out copays for screening colonoscopies when polyps are removed.

Your call could make colonoscopy screening available to millions.

Need a reminder?

Click here to add a reminder to your calendar and join our Facebook event.

Help us make sure every person in Congress is aware of colorectal cancer on Wednesday!

Want to know more?

Take a peek at our 2013 Advocacy Handbook…

Join One Million Strong

We continue to recruit people to take the pledge and become part of One Million Strong. Those who pledge make a difference in the fight against this disease. Please help us:

• Share the pledge with your friends and family, encourage them to join us!
• Talk about the pledge on Facebook
• Tweet about the pledge using hashtag #1milstrong and @FightCRC
• Take a look at the One Million Strong Toolbox

Together – let’s make a difference.

There are over one million colorectal cancer survivors in the United States.

Let’s share our stories and get behind a cure for this disease.

Over the past few days I’ve told you some of the reasons our 80+ colorectal cancer advocates will be on Capitol Hill next week. Yesterday we touched on the agenda for the 2013 Call-on Congress.

Today – I want you to know exactly what we will be asking of our elected officials.

Stay tuned – tomorrow I will share with you how to get involved from your living room!

But first … a brief overview of a bill and the lawmaking process

No review of how a bill becomes a law is complete without a little School House Rock.  “I’m just a bill…sittin’ here on Capitol Hill.”

If you need an elementary-level refresher, take a look:

Schoolhouse Rock : I’m Just a Bill from BExceptional on Vimeo.

Here is also a great diagram that explains the lawmaking process:

Next week on Capitol Hill

Fight Colorectal Cancer will train advocates next week to represent The People and demand a cure for colorectal cancer. Our advocates will attend meetings with their state’s officials to ask for changes to the law and support of measures that get behind a cure for colorectal cancer.

The legislation at hand…

Here is what our advocates will ask for:

(Click to download a PDF with a full explanation of Fight Colorectal Cancer’s 2013 legislative priorities)

Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP)

Recommendation: Fight Colorectal Cancer will advocate for increased funding for the CRCCP to $70 million in FY 2014 and continue to oppose consolidation of the cancer control programs.

Watch the video for more info about the CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Program.

Eliminating Cost Sharing for Colorectal Cancer Screening Colonoscopy

Recommendation:  Fight Colorectal Cancer will seek reintroduction of corrective legislation and advocate for its passage in the 113th Congress and continue to lobby for a change in private payer regulations. (HR 1070)

Watch the video for more info about the Medicare Cost Screening for Colonoscopy.

Support Colorectal Cancer Research

Recommendation:  Ask Congress to demonstrate commitment by taking two actions:   provide increased funding for the DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) and fund the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Watch the video for more info about the Support for Colorectal Cancer Research

United in a cure…

Our plate is full and agenda is packed – that is for sure! That is why our advocates will need YOUR help!

Stay tuned tomorrow to learn how to participate in the national Call-in on Wednesday, March 20!

Call-on Congress harnesses the passion of those impacted by colorectal cancer and helps them make a difference when it comes to the law.

Some of us come as survivors. Others of us sign up as caregivers, widows, researchers, physicians, friends and family. (See some of the reasons the 2013 attendees signed up!)

Regardless of our relationship with the disease, we all fight for the same thing:  a cure. Fight Colorectal Cancer’s 2013 Call-on Congress takes us one step further to that goal.

As the 80+ attendees pack their bags this week and prepare to ascend on Capitol Hill, take a look at what’s in store for the 2013 Call-on Congress.

Inspiration from those United in a Cure

Attendees receive two days of training before the “big day” on on Capitol Hill arrives. Speakers will cover a range of topics that unite the group, motivate to get behind a cure and teach each participant how to tell their story.

An amazing team of speakers will present:

• Welcome to Call on Congress, Carlea Bauman, President of Fight Colorectal Cancer
• Advocates are Breaking New Ground, Max G. Bronstein, MPP, Research!America
• The Power of One, Rodrick Samuels, owner of Profile Barber Institute & CRC advocate
• Your Roadmap to Colorectal Cancer Research facilitated by Dan Dixon, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center highlighting:

• Colorectal Cancer Treatment: How is it moving forward by Johanna Bendell MD, Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Research at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute
• Survivorship: What is the role of research after treatment by Andrea (Andi) Dwyer, Project Director for the Colorado Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN)
• What’s the destination? A role for advocates by Nancy Roach, Chair & Founder of Fight Colorectal Cancer

Training on the legislative process

Most attending the 2013 Call-on Congress do not lobby Congress regularly! That’s why an outstanding team of experts will teach and train our advocates about the in’s and out’s of the system and how to make a difference.

• Meeting Logistics and Advocacy 101
• In-depth Review of 2013 Legislative Priorities by Camille Bonta, Fight Colorectal Cancer Policy Expert
  • Discuss our legislative asks/ priorities
  • What are key cost issues and impact of budget cuts
• Preparing You for the Hill by Christopher Kush, President Soapbox Consulting
• In-depth Review & Question and Answer by Camille Bonta, Fight Colorectal Cancer Policy Expert
• How Congress really works: in practice, not in theory by Martin B. Gold, MPA, JD

Discussions to let it all sink in

Experts will lead discussion groups to help attendees process the information and gain further insight:

• Discussion 1: Understanding the Research Process (Experts:  Andi Dwyer, Project Director for the Colorado Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) and Dan Dixon, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Kansas

• Goal:  Discuss the current research landscape, cost of research, and the importance of advocacy in colorectal cancer research funding.

• Discussion 2: Understanding the Legislative Process (Experts: Mary Doroshenk, Director, National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, Camille Bonta, Fight Colorectal Cancer Policy Expert and Carlea Bauman, President of Fight Colorectal Cancer)

• Goal: Discuss how to influence elected officials, what are key policy issues, and how can you engage legislative initiatives year around.

• Discussion 3: How Can You Engage Your Own Networks (Experts: Anjee Davis, VP of Programs for Fight Colorectal Cancer,  Michael Sola, VP of Operations for Fight Colorectal Cancer and Devin James, CEO of Devin James Group)

• Goal: Discuss how you can promote colorectal cancer education to your networks (community members, medical professionals, etc.)

The United Behind a Cure Congressional Call-In

On the final day – Wednesday,  March 20 – we pack our bags and head for the Hill.

Attendees will meet with elected officials – some with lawmakers – to share their experience and push for legislative change.

Call on March 20, 2013

The cool thing? EVERYONE can participate to make sure the message is heard!

On Wednesday, March 20, call your representative to voice your support of legislative changes our advocates will talk about – be a part of a national advocacy event . . .

Fun? Of course there’s fun!

Our group is unique – we think talking about colon health and lawmaking is fun!

But, we will also participate in activities like dinners, “Mix & Mingles,” interactive sessions and a Celebration Dinner on the final night to round out the week.

Advocates and congressmen, get ready.

We demand a cure for colorectal cancer and will arrive in DC next week prepared to explain how changes to the law will help our goal.

This FREE one-day event is packed with exciting activities. No need to register, just show up!

If you are in the New York City area and would like to volunteer or participate in one of our FREE yoga classes (space limited) be sure to sign up!

Take the pledge today, share our Facebook cover photo, and participate in our One Million Strong Facebook Photo Competition!

Check out the SCHEDULE of EVENTS for March 1st!

Learn more about ONE MILLION STRONG. TAKE THE PLEDGE TODAY!

Our News Blogs

Fight Colorectal Cancer is pleased to announce that we will be providing scholarships for advocates to attend Call-on Congress 2013!

Scholarship applicants must be:

• A voting resident in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, or Wisconsin
• A colorectal cancer survivor or patient currently in treatment
• A first time Call-on Congress attendee
• “Like us” on Facebook

One person from each of the target states listed above will be selected to receive a scholarship to attend Call-on Congress. The scholarships are made possible through a private donation in memory of advocate and friend Joyce Anne Ware Longfellow, who passed away earlier this year. The aim is to help survivors come to Washington, DC and make their voices heard for the first time at Call-on Congress.

The deadline to apply is December 1st.

Get more information and apply today!