Erika Bilger joins Fight CRC as the Director of Research Advocacy. Diagnosed at age 22 with stage IV colon cancer, Erika has lived over half her life as a survivor; she knows firsthand the importance of research into causes of early onset disease and colorectal cancer prevention and treatment, as well as survivorship issues specific to young patients and survivors.

Before serving as the Director of Research Advocacy for Fight CRC, Erika was a research scientist in freshwater ecology and a college biology instructor. She holds degrees in biology, environmental science, and entomology. Her work in colorectal cancer awareness goes back two decades to the earliest years of the Colon Club and the Colondar, where she served as volunteer staff and as a member of the board. She is also a national board-certified health and wellness coach with a focus on cancer survivors.

Erika currently lives in Champaign, IL with her husband—a stage II CRC survivor—and their children. She and her family spend as much time as possible outdoors, especially near water or the woods.