On March 4, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Message in honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Alongside 33 partner organizations, Fight CRC sent a letter to President Trump urging him to recognize March 2025 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

We are thrilled to announce that the White House has joined more than one million colorectal cancer survivors, fighters, and families in raising awareness for this critical cause.

The White House has issued an official presidential proclamation for the year 2024, recognizing the significance of March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) applauds President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris for their continued support in the fight against colorectal cancer. On January 16, 2024, a collective effort involving 33 organizations, alongside Fight CRC, reached out to President Biden, advocating for the national recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in 2024.

The White House, in partnership with millions of colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates from all corners of the nation, comes together to raise awareness about this pressing issue. In an official press release, the administration passionately underscored their recommitment to, “supporting all those helping drive progress against cancer and delivering incredible care to those facing this disease. We affirm our goal of ending cancer as we know it, once and for all.”

This March, over 300 colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, and loved ones will plant over 27,000 flags on the National Mall to represent those who will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the year 2030, a year when colorectal cancer is projected to become the leading cancer killer among those ages 20-49. Fight CRC advocates understand the urgency around this disturbing statistic and are asking members of Congress for more funding for research during Call-on Congress this March. This event serves as a powerful symbol, shedding light on colorectal cancer as a national priority while paying tribute to those engaged in this critical fight.

“We express our gratitude for the White House’s ongoing commitment to bolstering awareness during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,” stated Anjee Davis, President of Fight CRC. “In March, we take pride in uniting with leaders in colorectal cancer screening and dedicated stakeholders, as we advocate for increased screening, funding, research, and most importantly, for the preservation of more lives.”

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month resonates at both local and national levels through the success of Fight CRC’s state proclamation campaign. Across the nation, hundreds of CRC survivors, caregivers, and loved ones have passionately submitted proclamations to their respective states, effectively recognizing CRC Awareness Month. Remarkably, nearly all 50 states have now issued state proclamations, under the leadership of their governors.

Molly McDonnell, Fight CRC Vice President of Advocacy, praised the commitment of colorectal cancer advocates:

“Year after year, advocates ensure that their states, towns, and local communities across the country are a part of March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This annual campaign continues to grow in size and influence, a testament to the unwavering strength and determination of this community. Colorectal cancer can be prevented if caught early, but one in three people are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Our annual state proclamation campaign serves as a key opportunity to promote awareness in individual states and communities and garner support for research, screening, and funding.”

As advocates, governors, and the President come together to observe March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in 2024, Fight CRC urges individuals, communities, and policymakers to join them in this critical fight.

On February 28, 2023, The White House issued a presidential proclamation recognizing March 2023 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Joe Biden wrote:

My Administration is working around the clock to develop new treatments that can turn this and other kinds of cancer from life-threatening diseases into chronic ones that people can live with and that can even cure certain forms of cancer. The First Lady and I reignited the Cancer Moonshot initiative that I began as Vice President, setting a new goal of cutting the Nation’s cancer death rate in half in the next 25 years while better supporting patients and caregivers. To develop bold breakthroughs in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer and other deadly diseases, I established the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), securing $2.5 billion in funding with bipartisan support from the Congress. And last fall, I signed an Executive Order to help ensure that biotechnology invented in America is made in America, growing our economy and strengthening our supply chains for vital medications.

On February 28, 2022, The White House issued a presidential proclamation recognizing March 2022 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Joe Biden wrote:

I believe that it is within our power to end cancer as we know it. That is why I have re-ignited the Cancer Moonshot and set new ambitious goals, to reduce the death rate from cancer by 50 percent over the next 25 years and to improve the lives of people and their families living with and surviving cancer. I have called on the Congress to create the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), which will invest billions of dollars to advance breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer and other deadly diseases. As we continue to pursue game-changing scientific breakthroughs, my Administration also remains steadfast in our commitment to increasing colorectal cancer screenings, follow-ups, and referrals, with a particular focus on underserved populations.

On February 2, 2022, the First Lady and I launched a call to action on cancer screening and early detection. Our goal is to jumpstart progress on potentially life-saving screenings that far too many Americans have missed as a result of the pandemic and help ensure that everyone in the United States benefits equitably from the tools we have to detect and diagnose cancer. We are calling on every American to get back on track with their recommended screenings, including colorectal cancer screenings, and for the public and private sectors to increase access to early detection for individuals and communities.

State Proclamations

In 2022, advocates from 43 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico submitted requests; 41 states responded to the request by officially declaring March 2022 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

On March 2, 2021, The White House issued a presidential proclamation recognizing March 2021 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Joe Biden wrote:

My Administration is strongly committed to improving the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer, and to giving every American access to quality, affordable health coverage. Because of the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans must cover a set of preventive services with no out-of-pocket cost. This includes colorectal cancer screening in adults age 50 and older. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Administration also announced a Special Enrollment Period for the Health Insurance Marketplace now through May 15th, so that millions of uninsured individuals and families can sign up for health coverage and gain these protections. I encourage you to visit www.healthcare.gov to explore your eligibility and get covered.

Above all, I want every family facing this fight—and all those that will in the future—to know that there is hope. As President, I am committed to ending cancer as we know it. That mission motivated me every day when I led the Cancer Moonshot Initiative in 2016 to speed up progress toward prevention, treatment, and cures. Thanks to that effort, researchers, oncologists, care providers, philanthropists, data and tech experts, advocates, patients, and survivors have joined forces to double the rate of progress toward a cure for cancer. One particular program, Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS), has made strides to improve colorectal cancer screening, follow-up, and referral for care among populations that have low screening rates, including communities of color and rural Americans. You can read more about this important work by visiting www.cancer.gov and www.cdc.gov/​cancer.

On March 1, 2019, The White House issued a Message recognizing March 2019 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

On January 14th, 2019, alongside 14 organizations, we wrote a letter to President Trump asking him to recognize March 2019 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Fight CRC is thrilled to announce that the White House has joined over one million colorectal cancer survivors, fighters, and family members in raising awareness about this cancer.

President Trump wrote:

“My administration is working to ensure that medical health professionals and research institutions have the resources they need to win the fight against colorectal cancer. Through the 21st Century Cures Act, we are accelerating new innovations and advances in medical technology, clinical trials, and treatments. We will continue to encourage screening for all Americans at higher risk of colorectal cancer and improve the quality of care for those battling this disease.

As we recognize National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we applaud the researchers and medical and public health professionals who work tirelessly to develop treatments, provide care for those battling cancer, and advance programs to facilitate screening and save lives. Most importantly, we stand beside all those diagnosed with cancer, and we join their families, friends, and communities in praying for a brighter and cancer-free future for all.”

On February 29, 2016, the White House issued an official press release announcing March 2016 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Obama wrote,

All people deserve to lead long, happy, and healthy lives, and nobody should be robbed of that promise due to the devastating impacts of colorectal cancer. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, let us honor the legacy of those we have lost to this cancer by spreading awareness of it, uplifting all who live with it, and pledging our full talent, resources, and will to defeating it.

On February 27, 2015, the White House issued an official press release announcing March 2015 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Obama wrote,

“Even as we continue the urgent work of improving care, we cannot fill the void left in the lives of those who know the true anguish of colorectal cancer. This month, we honor the loved ones we have lost to this disease and those who battle it today. Let us stand with their families and all who are committed to advancing the fight against cancer through research, advocacy, and quality care. Together, we can build a future free from cancer in all its forms.”

For the first time since 2001, and after years of advocacy, on February 28, 2014, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

President Obama wrote:

“The second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, colorectal cancer claims more than 50,000 American lives each year. Because the odds of survival rise dramatically when this cancer is caught early, calling attention to it can save lives. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we aim to improve public understanding of risk factors and screening recommendations, reach for better treatments, and set our sights on a cure.”