Home Blog Champion Stories 2021 Ambassador Feature: Richard Hays 2021 Ambassador Feature: Richard Hays July 28, 2021 • By Fight CRC Champion Stories Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Copy this URL Share via Email The year 2020 will be memorable for all of us, but at Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), we had the pleasure of welcoming a new class of Fight CRC Ambassadors. Despite all of the difficulties of 2020, especially with Stay-at-Home orders and social distancing, our Ambassadors found creative and interesting ways to get their messages into the world and to share their mission, which also is our mission: We FIGHT to cure CRC and serve as relentless champions of hope for all affected by this disease through informed patient support, impactful policy change, and breakthrough research endeavors. We are thankful to our Ambassadors as they finish out their introductory Ambassador year! Richard Hays hails from Harwood, Maryland. Fight CRC had some questions for Richard about his experience as Fight CRC Ambassador: Q: What is your connection to CRC? A: I am a patient/survivor. Q: What does being a Fight CRC Ambassador mean to you? A: Being a Fight CRC Ambassador means helping others to be relentless fighters of CRC to end pain and suffering through research. Q: What compelled you to apply to be a Fight CRC Ambassador? A: My initial visit with Kim Taylor-Houston who educated me on the benefits of being an Ambassador compelled me to apply to become a Fight CRC Ambassador. Q: What have you learned during your introductory Ambassador year? A: During my Ambassador year I learned, “You are not alone in your fight against CRC.” Q: This year, our Ambassador stories reached millions! From being featured in Fight CRC communications, Times Square, and local media, your face has been everywhere. What was the most exciting part for you? A: The most exciting part of being an Ambassador this year was Times Square. Q: What's your FAVORITE thing about being an Ambassador? A: My favorite thing about being an Ambassador was meeting others and sharing our collective stories. Q: Have you noticed growth within yourself over the past year? A: Yes. I have noticed growth within myself over the past year. I'll talk to anyone about my fight and help them understand what has taken over my life for the past two years, and how I have won the fight so far. Q: What motivates you to advocate for the CRC community? A: I need to be involved in my community and that motivates me to advocate for the CRC community. Q: What advice do you have for those who recently have been diagnosed or who have loved ones who recently have been diagnosed? A: Listen to your body, your medical team, your caregiver, and to survivors. Take your time when making decisions, and weigh all your options. Q: How will you continue your efforts beyond the close of your introductory Ambassador year? A: I'll always be around to help as much as I can. Fight CRC is grateful for the support of Richard Hays and the 2020-2021 Fight CRC Ambassadors as they continue to serve as relentless champions of hope! meet more ambassadors share your story read champion stories One thought on “2021 Ambassador Feature: Richard Hays” Richard, thanks for sharing your story. Talking about colorectal cancer will help many people seek care. You are an inspiration. Love you! Comments are closed.
Richard, thanks for sharing your story. Talking about colorectal cancer will help many people seek care. You are an inspiration. Love you!