The White House has issued an official press release announcing a presidential proclamation recognizing March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in 2023. 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 20, 2023, alongside 41 organizations, Fight CRC wrote a letter to President Biden asking for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to be recognized nationally in 2023.  

The White House joins the millions of colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates from across the country to raise awareness for this disease. In the press release, they state: “During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we call attention to the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America — by sharing information about risk factors, promoting life-saving early screenings, and improving access to affordable treatment.  In remembrance of every life cut short by this devastating disease, my Administration is determined to end cancer as we know it.”

On March 10, Fight CRC President, Anjee Davis and Board Chair, Dr. Angela Nicholas will be attending the White House Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum to continue to break down barriers for colorectal cancer patients and their families. The forum builds on Fight CRC’s meeting with White House Cancer Moonshot coordinators in July 2022. Fight CRC convened a group of CRC survivors, patient advocacy groups, and business leaders with the White House Cancer Moonshot coordinators and representatives from federal agencies in response to President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s call to action to improve and increase access to CRC screening.

“We are thrilled that the White House continues to support and promote awareness during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,” said Anjee Davis, President of Fight CRC. “This March, we are proud to lock arms with colorectal cancer screening leaders and stakeholders to push for more screening, more funding, more research, and more lives saved.” 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month being recognized both locally and nationally through Fight CRC’s state proclamation campaign. Hundreds of CRC survivors, caregivers, and loved ones from across the country have submitted a proclamation for their state to recognize CRC Awareness Month. Nearly all 50 states have been secured by governor issued state proclamations.

“Year after year colorectal cancer advocates ensure that their states, their towns and their local communities know that March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Each year it continues to grow bigger and bigger and that is a testament to the strength and determination of this community. Their efforts are saving lives.,” said Molly McDonnell, Fight CRC Director of Advocacy. “One in three people are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Our annual state proclamation campaign is an effort to encourage further awareness and support for research, screening, and funding.”

According to the JAMA Network, it is projected that CRC will be the leading cause of cancer deaths among those ages 20-49 in the next seven years if something doesn’t change. On March 12-23, Fight CRC is hosting the second United in Blue flag installation on the National Mall to spotlight colorectal cancer as a national priority and to honor those who are in the fight. Fight CRC is asking advocates to fight for more and honor and memorialize those in the fight on the National Mall.

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