World Cancer Day: It’s Personal for Us

"I fight because I believe we are stronger together than we are alone, especially when facing cancer. This is a special day we get to be together celebrating our friends and family touched by all cancers. We also get to share stories about our friends and family we miss."

- Anjee Davis, President

"I fight because cancer is not fair. Cancer might be strong but we are stronger. It's proven in times like this when we all come together to honor, celebrate and remember all those affected by cancer. Cancer has impacted me personally and given me different views on how we advocate for ourselves, loved ones, community and future. This year will be my first time participating in a Call-on Congress. I am ready to fight for more. It's time!"

- Olivia Welch, Advocacy Project Manager

"I fight against cancer and colorectal cancer specifically, because it is so deeply personal. At 23 years old, I lost my mother to colorectal cancer and I almost didn't survive the loss. I was broken, hopeless and attempted suicide; I could not bear to live on this earth without her.  After receiving help and learning to cope with my loss, my father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and he passed away when I was 26. The majority of my twenties was spent in grief and learning how to live without my parents. Eventually, I was able to reminisce about my parents and feel happiness at the memories, but it took a long time.  At 36 years old, I am grateful to work at Fight CRC, where I am able to take the most painful chapter of my life and transform it into something beautiful and purpose driven."

- Erin Darboze, Health Policy Manager

"I didn't have a choice to fight cancer and a lot of what comes with being a survivor is out of my control. But, I did choose to share my story. Every few months, I choose to attend my follow-up appointments. I've chosen to team up with Fight CRC because I want other patients to know they're not alone." 

- Danielle Ripley-Burgess, Chief Storyteller

"Cancer came at me out of nowhere at a young age. With no family history and an advanced diagnosis, I struggled for a time as an early age onset patient to find a community that understood my situation. I fight to honor the people and groups I found that brought me into their communities and let me know that I was not alone; for those who have passed on, but who taught me how to live a full life. I fight to honor a husband and daughter who were there for me every step of the way. I fight to aid the doctors and researchers in my growing medical circle in their search for treatments and a cure. And I fight to find the person, who is like me, to let them know that they are not alone."

- Phuong Gallagher, Research Advocate Program Manager

"I fight cancer because it has taken loved ones away from me, but we can all unite together and stop it from taking more. Losing my uncle to brain cancer was one of the hardest times of my life and knowing it has kept so many people from witnessing the biggest moments like meeting my future husband and kids makes me angry and want to do more. We need to do more. Fighting cancer is not a choice for me; it’s a promise that I will continue to fight for more research, more answers, and more happy endings." 

- Katie Newcomb, Volunteer and Events Manager

"On World Cancer Day, I join in the fight against cancer for my mother and aunt who beat their diagnoses, and also for my grandmother who lost her battle against cancer. This day restores the hope that, while cancer may be strong, we are stronger, especially when we unite and fight together. Although cancer has affected everyone in some way or another, I fight for a day when that will no longer be the case."

- Natalie Reynolds, Program Coordinator & Administrative Support

"I fight for everyone that I have lost to cancer. I fight for my family's future and for day when we no longer lose loved ones to these diseases."

- Sam Monica, Multimedia Manager

“Cancer takes a lot from those affected by it, including time with those we care for deeply. But cancer cannot take away the hopeful moments we experience fighting together, so I fight for more of those moments. I fight for more time with my loved ones affected by cancer, and I fight so others can have more time with their loved ones too."

- Merritt Jones, Communication Project Manager

"Being diagnosed with cancer (or having a loved one suffer through it, as in my case) can be the most trying experience of our lives. Early in the journey, I realized that the path to better health is easier by 'being' with others. Sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources in our colorectal cancer community results in improved prognosis, treatment options, and quality of life. It helps those struggling now and honors the loved ones we miss. On World Cancer Day, while looking forward to a cancer cure, I strive for more patients cured, in our time!"

- Maia Walker, Lead Curator of the Fight CRC Clinical Trial Finder

"Over the years the connections I have made with advocates and survivors has made this cause even more personal to me. I fight everyday in honor of our community of relentless champions."

- Andrew Wortmann, Director of Innovative Marketing