President Anjee Davis to participate in White House's Cancer Moonshot Goals Forum in Washington, D.C. this Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The meeting will focus on catalyzing action and developing solutions that will bring the U.S. closer to “ending cancer as we know it.” Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) will specifically be discussing plans related to reducing cost barriers to colorectal cancer screening as well as increasing equitable access to screening as outlined in their Path to a Cure report.

The Cancer Moonshot has set bold goals to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years, and improve the experience of people and their families living with and surviving cancer. It will take leaders from across the country including patients, private sector, foundations, academic institutions, healthcare providers, and all Americans to achieve the mission. 

At this all-day convening, senior White House officials and members of the Cancer Cabinet will share updates on the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to the Cancer Moonshot. During a series of conversations, Davis will have the opportunity to share ideas on how the Administration can improve colorectal cancer screening rates, detect cancer early, reach underserved and hard-to-reach communities, and how data can help in achieving these goals. 

“In February 2022, President Biden announced a call to action on cancer screening after millions of appointments were missed due to COVID-19 – screenings for colorectal cancer fell by as much as 90% during the pandemic,” said Davis. “Being a part of this effort to provide equitable access to cancer prevention, detection, and diagnosis is such a meaningful opportunity. Fight CRC believes wholeheartedly in the President’s Cancer Moonshot efforts.” 

Last February, Davis took part in the President’s Cancer Panel alongside Fight CRC Health Equity Committee member and board member Dr. Fola May. The Panel released a report on closing the gaps in CRC screening. Davis is looking forward to continuing the work focused on connecting people, communities, and systems to improve equity and access to CRC screening.

CRC is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined, yet one in three people are not up-to-date with screening. In just eight years, CRC is projected to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in those under age 50. In order to bring attention to this staggering statistic, last March, Fight CRC planted over 27,000 blue flags on the National Mall to represent the lives that will be impacted if change does not happen and the group hosted an event where Danielle Carnival, Ph.D., White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator, presented the Administration’s commitment to reducing cancer diagnoses and deaths.

Fight CRC hopes to continue the momentum this week at the Cancer Moonshot Goals Forum.

“We are incredibly proud to be at the table collaborating on innovations to provide access for the more than 40 million Americans who need to be screened for colorectal cancer,” said Davis. “We’re honored to be representing the colorectal cancer community and we’re going to keep pushing until we all reach our collective goals.”