am2016-desktop-bannerKaren_Wehling_RATSThe annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) takes place June 3-7 in Chicago and I'll be there! More than 30,000 cancer researchers and patient advocates will be in attendance presenting results from current cancer research - all in one place! I will be there representing Fight CRC as a survivor and advocate. I was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer almost 5 years ago and after going through radiation, chemo, a clinical trial and surgery, I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for almost 4 years. Since being declared NED, I have been involved in several aspects of support for patients, including raising awareness and fundraising.

Advocacy is Important in Research

I  feel a strong pull to pay forward all of the support I received when I was in treatment by advocating for those with CRC. ASCO is hosting patient advocates from organizations all across the country who are advocating for and supporting cancer patients. Those interested in patient advocacy will be welcomed into meetings and events created just for them - there is even a lounge just for the advocates! I am hoping to incorporate what I learn from other advocates and from the meetings into my own advocacy efforts when I return home. The other piece of advocacy that is important to me is research advocacy. I am excited to learn more from the scientists themselves about current research in the area of colorectal cancer. If there are any new developments, they will be presented at ASCO! Last year I joined the RATS (Research Advocate Training and Support) program at Fight CRC. I learned so much about the research in colorectal cancer straight from the doctors at the University of Colorado. I have actually been in the labs and seen cancer growing in a dish. I have also learned about research proposals and hope to some day have the opportunity to evaluate these proposals from a patient's point of view as a research advocate. RATS_CU Through the RATS program I was given a mentor, Dr. Christopher Lieu, a GI oncologist at the University of Colorado Cancer Center in my hometown of Denver. I have been meeting with him since the RATS Academy last year and he has helped me find ways to learn more about "Translational Medicine" and the current research being done for CRC. I hope to use that knowledge to help understand the research I will see presented at ASCO. The idea of 30,000 people in one place, all concerned with improving treatments for cancer, is an overwhelming thought that can do nothing but give me HOPE about our future!

Connect With Us! 

Stay tuned – following ASCO 2016, Fight CRC will recap of all the exciting research in a webinar. Make sure you sign up to get notified about webinar alerts! Follow Fight CRC Twitter (@FightCRC) to get real-time updates of what's happening at ASCO! You can also follow Anjee Davis (@AnjeeDavis), Sharyn Worrall (@SharynFCRC), Dr. Dusty Demming (@DocDustyD) and Dr. Tom Marsilje (@CurrentIncurSci). ASCO 2016Twitter Promo To learn more about research advocacy, visit FightCRC.org/Research.

Join Fight CRC

If you’ve been impacted by colorectal cancer, we need you! Join us and use your experience, your story and your voice to create real change. Get started by signing up. Next, see all the ways you can do something about this disease and take steps to get connected with our community. Come fight with us.