Because of Natera‘s generosity, this year advocate Kyle David was able to attend Call-on Congress in Washington D.C.! Kyle is a stage IV colon cancer survivor and author who was empowered to share his story and advocate for change with his members of Congress.
Sponsors like Natera are what make this life-changing work possible.
Read more about Kyle here.
When asked to share his experience about Call-on Congress, Kyle had this to say:
Beyond the Sidelines
I didn’t come to Washington, D.C. to observe.
I came as myself.
Someone in the middle of the fight, still showing up.
On February 3, 2026, I underwent a critical liver ablation, another moment in a journey that has taken more than I ever expected.
And still… I walked into Call-on Congress 2026 with Fight Colorectal Cancer.
Not because I felt ready.
But because I refuse to sit on the sidelines of my own future.
And the truth is…This isn’t just my fight.
Because colorectal cancer today doesn’t look the way people think it does.
It’s not “later in life.”
It’s not rare.
It’s not something happening somewhere else.
It’s here. It’s now.
It’s the mom trying to hold it together for her kids.
The dad navigating decisions he never thought he’d have to make.
The couple learning how to be strong for each other in ways no one prepares you for.
The caregivers carrying more than anyone sees.
Even the pets who never leave our side when the world feels uncertain.
This touches all of us.
Hill Day
Hill Day wasn’t about politics for me.
It was about people.
Walking into those rooms, I felt something deeper than advocacy, a connection.
A thread that runs through all of us.
Call it purpose. Call it responsibility.
For me, it felt like a crimson thread. Linking every story, every loss, every person who has ever been touched by this disease.
I carried the voices of the advocates we lost in 2025, people who showed up for me when I didn’t have the strength to show up for myself. People who should still be here.
That doesn’t leave you. It sharpens you!
Being in conversations alongside organizations like Natera, and hearing from people who have dedicated their careers to supporting patients, reminded me of something powerful:
The innovation is here, the commitment is here.
But the gap?
It’s in the funding.
It’s in making sure access reaches every person who needs it.
Because colorectal cancer is no joke.
And no one no matter where they live, who they love, or what their life looks like, should ever feel like just another case sitting on an oncologist’s desk.
We are not numbers.We are not files.
We are people. And every story deserves to be heard.
If You’re Hesitating: This Is Your Sign
If you’re unsure about attending a future Call-on Congress, hear this:
There is space for you in that room.
Not just for experts.
Not just for seasoned advocates.
For you.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone you love, or still trying to make sense of it all, your voice matters.
You don’t need perfect words.
You don’t need a polished story.
You just need to show up.
Because this space is about being seen.
And making sure others are seen too.
What This Changed For Me
I used to think advocacy was about telling my story.
Now I know, it’s about carrying it with purpose.
It’s about stepping into rooms where decisions are made and making sure the reality of this disease is felt, not just understood.
It’s about honoring that thread that connects all of us
and refusing to let it break.
Beyond the Storm
This cancer has taken a lot from me.
But it hasn’t taken my ability to show up.
And it hasn’t taken my ability to stand beside others and say:
You are not alone in this!
Because when we come together. Real, open, and willing to be seen something shifts.
We move forward.
Beyond the fear.
Beyond the labels.
Beyond the idea that we’re just patients.
Beyond the storm.
This isn’t just advocacy.
This is about all of us.
Being seen.
Being heard.
And making sure every voice matters.
Show up. Your story matters more than you think!
With love and Strength,
Kyle David