Kate Murphy

Fight Colorectal Cancer’s Director of Research, Kate M. Murphy will be joining a distinguished list of guest speakers at the Colon Cancer Alliance’s upcoming national conference this June in Denver, Colorado.  Her participation as a panelist will provide attendees with information on genetic risk factors and genetic testing, the importance of knowing your family history and an overview of HNPCC and FAP.  She will be joined by panelists from the American Cancer Society and the Patient Advocate Foundation during the conference’s opening session.

The Colon Cancer Alliance’s conference, “Family Matters: What Every Family Needs to Know,” is being held in Denver, Colorado from June 23-25, 2011.  Full and partial scholarships are available with an application deadline of May 13^th. The event brings together experts from throughout the nation covering a wide range of topics such as genetic risks, designing a treatment plan, advanced disease treatment options and tips for living with colon cancer. The annual event is designed to bring families and friends together and encourage awareness and conversation around the disease.  For more information on the conference, visit: www.ccalliance.org.

Leading colorectal cancer advocacy organizations Colon Cancer Alliance and Fight Colorectal Cancer announced that they are teaming up on an initiative to encourage patients with colorectal cancer to take charge of their diagnosis and learn about clinical trials.

The Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action campaign matches colorectal cancer patients with currently recruiting clinical trials based on their individual medical situation. The easy-to-use resources, powered by EmergingMed, help patients discuss with their doctor clinical trials that may be appropriate for them.  The personalized service is free, confidential, and available to patients, loved ones and healthcare professionals.

“Patients who participate in clinical trials also help further colorectal cancer research,” said Carlea Bauman, President of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “Today’s clinical trial could be tomorrow’s standard treatment. Unfortunately the process of finding an appropriate trial can be mind-boggling to patients, which is why Fight Colorectal Cancer is pleased to join with EmergingMed and the Colon Cancer Alliance on this vital program.”

Read the entire press release from EmergingMed, Fight Colorectal Cancer and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

We’re wearing Blue . . .and you can too!

Dress in Blue Day is March 5, sponsored by the Colon Cancer Alliance.

In celebration of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, advocates are encouraged to raise awareness of colon and rectal cancers by wearing blue and telling their friends and co-workers why screening for colorectal cancer is vitally important.

• Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable.
• Screening can prevent colorectal cancer, and everyone over 50 should be screened.

Nothing blue to wear? We’ve got just what you need.