I have worked in public health for over two decades now, and I have learned the answers to healthcare challenges are complex. A multitude of social factors come into play when health disparities come up: finances, culture, race, sexuality, religion, access to screening and treatment, food, and education. All of these societal factors all play a role in patient care.

In 2020, COVID-19 devastated our world. While that was happening, a history of racial bias in the healthcare system was unearthed. The silver lining was a renewed awareness and attention focused on the ongoing bias, microaggressions, and struggles some patients face. Together, we all faced the same global pandemic. 

And as the world faced tragedy after tragedy, my own health was impacted by cancer. (Seriously!) My breast cancer diagnosis during COVID-19 gave me a front row seat to navigating cancer care–already a terrible circumstance–during the worst of circumstances. As an Asian American, I experienced bias during my diagnosis and treatment, as some of my questions and concerns were not taken seriously or dismissed completely. But, with decades of advocacy under my belt, I trusted my instincts and rebuilt a team whom I trusted would listen.

My story is one of thousands that Black and brown individuals could tell. People in the LGBTQ+ community can also relate to my story. Anyone who has experienced bias when seeking health care knows the frustration of not being heard, and in a worst-case scenario: What it feels like to slip through the cracks.

Weaving health equity (“health disparities") and inclusivity efforts into the fabric of our mission is imperative. At Fight CRC, health equity and inclusivity efforts are intertwined across all our programs. We are passionate and committed to health equity because everyone from cities to rural areas deserves the same compassion and care. We consistently strive to improve and amplify our message and reach. We relentlessly fight for ALL patients to have access to care.

In 2020, the awareness for health equity became a genuine wake-up call for many.  Some organizations looked inward and assessed if they were reaching communities in need. But other organizations hijacked health equity by benefiting from increased funding without actually using these funds to build programs to positively affect and impact the communities it was meant for.

For me personally, a critical part of health equity is relationship building. Rather than jumping into communities uninvited, there has to be authenticity in how we do the work. When the ingredients of authenticity and commitment are added, we can do our best work by developing innovative strategies to solve the challenges facing health equity and inclusion. It's not fast or easy. It’s important not to hijack the process with quick fixes without including the individuals we hope to benefit.

As part of our introspection of 2020, Fight CRC took a step back to assess if we were representing patients of every creed and color. Since colorectal cancer hits racial and ethnic groups hard, we wanted to ensure that all patients were represented when sharing their stories.  Some races and ethnic groups see higher incidences and higher mortality rates.  We sought out ways to effectively reach these patients. 

I am incredibly proud of our team for being intentional and working to improve our health equity efforts at every opportunity possible. Our response to a complicated issue remains consistent: We empower patients; we amplify their stories; and we fight for policy change.

From our research and care teams, and our policymakers, we demand rigor and transparency. We are fighting for equity and access, establishing authentic relationships within the communities we serve. My feet are planted in the ground, enriched by my own personal experiences. Fight CRC is here for the thousands of patients like me who share lived experiences of inequity in health care and are committed to see a better future.

We strive to do better because we must do better.