As we look ahead, our 2025-2030 strategic plan outlines bold goals to further reduce the burden of colorectal cancer, increase research funding, and enhance patient support. We are excited to launch our “More Time” campaign as part of our 20th Anniversary — a new initiative aimed at increasing the overall survival rate by 2030.

$1,000,000 Raised through Climb for a Cure: In an inspiring display of unity, determination, and community support, Fight CRC’s Escalada por una cura event achieved a remarkable milestone raising $1 million to advance colorectal cancer research. Survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and supporters climb as a symbol of overcoming obstacles, honoring those affected by colorectal cancer, and driving impactful change in the fight against this disease. Participants push their limits by climbing mountains, all while raising vital funds and awareness for colorectal cancer research.

A Chatbot Revolutionizing Colorectal Cancer Support: Fight CRC launched the first ever colorectal cancer AI tool, aptly named ChatCRC. Available both online or via SMS text messaging, ChatCRC is aimed to revolutionize colorectal cancer support by providing personalized information, support, and guidance to individuals with specific concerns or conditions. The chatbot offers instant access to information about colorectal cancer risk factors, screening information, frequently asked questions, and more.

Lynch Syndrome Coverage Support: Fight CRC’s Advisory Council Leads the Charge for ICD-10 Coding for Lynch Syndrome.

No-Shave November: No-Shave November began supporting Fight CRC in 2015, honoring Matthew Hill, the father of its founders, who passed away from colorectal cancer in 2007. To date, No-Shave November has contributed nearly $2.5 million to support Fight CRC’s mission of advancing cancer research, education, and prevention. Now, Fight CRC is excited to lead this iconic campaign, ensuring it continues to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.

The Colon Club merges with Fight CRC: The Colon Club was one of the first organizations to bring attention to early-age onset colorectal cancer, an important and overlooked demographic facing the disease. Merging in 2023, Fight Colorectal Cancer and The Colon Club now operate as one organization, bringing attention to a worrisome trend of increasing CRC diagnoses in young adults. Continuing a Colon Club tradition, Campamento de colon will be hosted by Fight CRC beginning in 2025, and continuing in the years after.

Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum: On March 10, 2023, a milestone meeting took place at the White House, bringing together leaders and advocates in the fight against colorectal cancer. Fight CRC President Anjee Davis, survivor Phuong Gallagher, and board member Dr. Fola May participated in separate panels to discuss significant achievements and ongoing challenges in combating colorectal cancer. This forum highlighted the progress made under the Cancer Moonshot initiative and identified areas needing further attention and support

CGA-IGC Early Career Award: Fight CRC and CGA-IGC granted the second Early Career Award to further the advancement of patient care and support for individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer syndromes. This research grant aims to drive progress in science, clinical care, and advocacy specifically geared toward patients with inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, familial colorectal cancer, and early-onset colorectal cancer.

Congressional Black Caucus Panel: Fight CRC hosted a discussion at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference focused on colorectal cancer in the Black community. The panel was one of the few cancer-related panels at the event and the only one focused on colorectal cancer.

State Laws Remove Screening Barriers: New laws in New York and New Jersey removed barriers to colorectal cancer screening by eliminating out of pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive screening test.

Defining our Path to a Cure: Working hand in hand across industry, academia, advocacy, public health, government agencies, and with patients, the El camino hacia la cura report drives and unifies stakeholders to ask important questions and prioritize and expand scientific efforts.

The Think Tank was designed to create a social and intellectual setting where it was safe to disagree and become aware of individual biases and blind spots, while having the opportunity expand knowledge outside of disciplinary and institutional walls. Participants represented a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience, both within the colorectal cancer field and beyond it.

White House Guidance: Fight CRC successfully influenced the Biden Administration’s guidance requiring private insurers to cover follow-up colonoscopies after positive non-invasive screenings, preventing surprise medical bills.

Meeting with the White House: In response to President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot goals, Fight CRC brought a group of patient advocacy and business leaders together to discuss ways all stakeholders can work together to improve and increase access to CRC screening.

A Message on the Front Lawn of Congress: For the first time ever, volunteers placed 27,400 blue flags into the ground at the National Mall. Each flag represented the number of people ages 20-49 projected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2030.

Path to a Cure Think Tank: Hosted in December 2021, this event brought together 35 thought leaders to discuss priorities for advancing treatments and finding a cure for stage III and IV MSS colorectal cancer.

Identifying Gaps in Research with Tempus: Fight CRC committed $150,000/year for a three-year research fellowship to study clinical data at Tempus, a leader in AI and precision medicine. The awarded researcher received access to Tempus de-identified datasets and analytical platform to identify insights and gaps that are occurring in colorectal cancer research.

Connecting patients with providers: Utilizing claims data from Komodo Health, Fight CRC hosts its Provider Finder tool on its website. Pulling information from a uniquely curated list of healthcare providers with experience in treating colorectal cancer in all 50 states, our Buscador de proveedores allows patients and caregivers to search for providers by location, specialty, and healthcare organization, and helps take the stress out of searching for a new doctor or finding a second opinion.

Colorectal Cancer Congressional Caucus: Fight CRC worked with congressional champions Rep. Donald Payne Jr (D-NJ) to launch the first-ever Colorectal Cancer Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Screening Age Lowered: In May 2021, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended lowering the colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45. This lifesaving change aligns with the American Cancer Society’s 2018 recommendation.

Fight CRC received nearly 1,600 signatures in support of this recommendation from patients, their loved ones, and medical professionals. Advocates also provided more than 1,100 comments explaining why they support lowering the screening age to 45 for average-risk individuals.

Medicare Barrier Removed: Fight CRC advocated alongside partners to remove an out-of-pocket cost for necessary colonoscopies after a non-invasive screening test comes back positive.

State-Level Successes: The Catalyst State-by-State Advocacy Program helped pass crucial legislation in states like Kentucky, Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Texas, improving access to screening and eliminating out-of-pocket costs.

Rally on Research: Fight CRC brought together a global community to discuss the impacts of the rising rates of early-age onset colorectal cancer, and what the advocacy and medical communities can do to change this trend.

More than 500 researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates from 35 countries focused on EAO CRC research, clinical care, and advocacy. It was imperative to bridge the advocacy and scientific communities while creating an engaging space to listen and learn from one another.

Research Publications:

• Priorities of Unmet Needs for Those Affected by Colorectal Cancer: Considerations from a Series of Nominal Group Technique Sessions
• Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on the colorectal cancer community: Barriers and opportunities for care

Virtual Support and Resources: Fight CRC quickly adapted to the pandemic by launching virtual events like Wellness Wednesday, providing an online hub with resources, and distributing over 8,000 free masks to protect patients.

Call-on Congress Pivots: A week from the scheduled event date, Convocatoria del Congreso was forced to a virtual event. By going virtual, we engaged even more advocates: 561 people participated in online training, and 1,480 advocates sent 4,056 emails to members of Congress on virtual Hill Day.

Medicare Loophole Bill is Passed: After more than eight years of advocacy, in December 2020, Congress passed the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (nicknamed the Medicare Loophole bill) into law. The law corrected a loophole in Medicare policy where people received unexpected bills for polyp removal during a screening colonoscopy.

New Catalyst State Advocacy Program: Fight CRC launched a grant program to support state coalitions working to advance policy at the state level to increase access to colorectal cancer screening. In the first year grants were awarded to Arkansas, California, Colorado and Louisiana. supporting colorectal cancer policy change at the state level in four states

Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Research: Fight CRC continued its focus on early-age onset colorectal cancer (EAO CRC) by funding research and holding the second annual EAO CRC Symposium virtually, attracting global participation. The organization also published a paper on EAO CRC research in the journal Gastroenterology.

Putt for Prevention: Fight CRC teamed up with PGA TOUR golfer Tom Lehman for a prevention event in Washington, D.C., raising awareness and meeting with members of Congress and then-President Donald Trump to discuss the importance of screening.

Expansion of Patient Resources: Fight CRC saw significant engagement with its educational resources, including 737,700 website users, and the distribution of over 7,400 downloadable resources.

• Beyond Blue won a GOLD Aster Award.

Health Equity Commitment: Fight CRC formed the Health Equity Committee in 2020 and established partnerships to increase awareness of health equity issues and ensure cultural relevance in resource development.

Research Breakthrough: Researchers at the Mayo Clinic analyzed tissue from over 100 patients with polyps and found differences between cancer-free polyps that do not return after being removed during a colonoscopy; cancer-free polyps that do return; and polyps that eventually turn into cancer. These findings can help determine certain factors at the molecular level that might determine whether a polyp becomes cancerous or not.

Research Grant Funding: Dr. Lisa Boardman was awarded $200,000 in 2020 to develop the Fight CRC PreCancer Biobank. Fight CRC’s board member Ron Doornink, through the Ron and Martha Doornink Foundation, provided a $150,000 contribution for this project to Fight CRC, and the Colon Cancer Coalition graciously matched $50,000, donated by Dan and Paula McQuillen.

Research Publications:

• Cáncer colorrectal en jóvenes: Epidemiología, prevención y tratamiento
• Colorectal Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate by Age

Language in FY2020 Appropriations Bill: Fight CRC successfully secured language in the FY2020 appropriations bill that allocated funding specifically for research into early-age onset colorectal cancer. This was a crucial step in addressing the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults.

Research Grant Funding: We funded $55,000 to Dr. Christine Molmenti from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at Northwell Health and Heather Hampel from The Ohio State University to understand family risk factors among first-degree relatives for early-age onset colorectal cancer patients. The goal of this research project is to identify what proportion of early-age onset colorectal cancer is preventable.

Putting the Patient Voice at the Table: Fight CRC is the only colorectal cancer advocacy organization that trains survivors and caregivers to sit on panels of the country’s leading medical organizations, through our Research Advocacy Training and Support Program (RATS), to ensure that the patient voice informs how research is funded.

Leading the Early-Age Onset Conversation: Forty-five researchers, oncologists, and patient advocates examined research initiatives specifically aimed at better understanding sporadic early-age onset colorectal cancer and prioritized and crafted a research agenda for future exploration. The meeting paper was published in Gastroenterology, the most prominent journal in gastrointestinal disease.

Screening Age Lowered to 45: Fight CRC played an important role in lowering the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 and took steps to understanding why this disease is striking young adults. This change was a major win for early detection, aiming to catch the disease sooner in younger populations at risk.

NIH and DoD Funding: Fight CRC played a crucial role in advocating for a $2 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and securing an additional $10 million for the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). This funding supported life-saving cancer research, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to advancing scientific discoveries that can lead to better treatment options and ultimately a cure for colorectal cancer.

Removing Barriers to Screening Act: Fight CRC continued its longstanding efforts to pass the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. By the end of 2018, the House bill had gained 296 co-sponsors, while the Senate version had 58 co-sponsors, bringing the legislation closer to passage. This act would close a loophole that leaves seniors with unexpected medical bills after colonoscopies, making screening more accessible and affordable.

Clinical Trial Finder Expansion: Fight CRC’s Late-Stage MSS-CRC Clinical Trial Finder saw tremendous growth, with over 14,000 patients and caregivers using the tool to search for life-saving treatments. The tool, initially developed by the late Dr. Tom Marsilje, has become a vital resource for those seeking advanced treatment options, particularly when standard therapies are no longer effective.

Research Publications: In 2018, Fight CRC contributed to over seven publications in five different journals, including a notable piece, “A Blueprint to Advance CRC Immunotherapies,” published in Cancer Immunology Research. This publication is a result of the collaborative effort of Fight CRC and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Immunotherapy Workgroup, which continues to push forward research in colorectal cancer immunotherapy.

#StrongArmSelfie Campaign: En #StrongArmSelfie campaign reached its highest engagement in 2018, with nearly 30,000 selfies shared during March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, generating 196 million impressions on social media. This campaign has been instrumental in spreading awareness and uniting the colorectal cancer community.

Introduction of the Clinical Trial Finder: Dr. Tom Marsilje, a brilliant scientist and stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, created the Clinical Trial Finder as a way to help others in his situation navigate the complex world of clinical trials. Using his personal experience and expertise, he curated a list of trials most likely to benefit late-stage patients like himself. This tool, originally shared as a spreadsheet, was transformed into a widely accessible online resource through a partnership with Fight CRC and Flatiron Health in 2017. Dr. Tom’s work has empowered thousands of patients, ensuring his legacy lives on in the continued fight against colorectal cancer.

Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Research Collaboration: Fight CRC began focusing on the rising incidence of early-age onset colorectal cancer, collaborating with researchers to find solutions.

Research Funding: Our research grant DOUBLED when we partnered with the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) who matched our $200,000. We jointly awarded a $400,000 grant to Cindy Sears, M.D. for her investigation on the gut microbiome (“gut ecosystem”) and immunotherapy.

This is Crap Campaign: We used the raw emotion of our One Million Strong community for a campaign called “This is Crap.” We told the stories of our 22 Ambassadors (advocates who volunteer to put a “face” to the disease by sharing their stories and becoming spokespeople) through photos, Facebook videos, blog posts and a PSA that rotated in Times Square during March. As a result, we gathered 14,000 petition signatures in 3 weeks and reached hundreds of thousands of people with our stories.

A Blueprint to Advance Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapies: Fight CRC, in partnership with the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), made significant strides in colorectal cancer immunotherapy research. The organization co-hosted a global meeting of experts to develop “A Blueprint to Advancing Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapies.” This blueprint laid out strategic priorities for the field, which were presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting. Additionally, Fight CRC and CRI jointly committed $400,000 in grants to support this cutting-edge research, doubling their research funding from previous years.

Research Advocacy at the White House: Fight CRC was invited to the White House to speak about research advocacy on June 1, 2016. Founder Nancy Roach was invited to serve on the working group that reported to the Blue Ribbon Panel, alongside Medical Advisory Board Member Dr. Edith Mitchell.

10th Call-on Congress: The 2016 Convocatoria del Congreso marked a decade of impactful advocacy, with a record number of 125 advocates attending, including 14 “junior advocates.” The event featured 131 meetings with congressional representatives, and the resulting efforts secured over 300 co-sponsors for the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act,” the highest number of co-sponsors ever achieved for a colorectal cancer bill. This event also garnered significant media attention, including coverage by the Washington Post and an appearance on Bravo TV’s Real Housewives of Orange County.

Fight CRC Ambassador Program (2015): En Programa de embajadores was introduced to train survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and medical professionals to share their stories and advocate for policy changes at the state and federal levels.

#StrongArmSelfie Begins: Inspired by the ice bucket challenge, it is a way to rally the colorectal cancer community and supporters via social media to raise awareness and funds. The #StrongArmSelfie campaign started as a small idea and snowballed into a major movement — much in part to a group of sisters Carrie Lynn Gibson, Elsa Gibson, and Joy Gibson-Deramo who began posting thousands of selfies from Puerto Rico. It was an easy way to show their dad, who was fighting colorectal cancer, that he had the support of their community.

Lisa Fund Grant: Fight CRC awarded $100,000 through the Lisa Fund in partnership with Michael’s Mission. The grant was awarded to Dr. Noel de Miranda, whose work in individualized immunotherapy for colon cancer was recognized with the prestigious Bas Mulder Award from the Dutch Cancer Society.

Research Advocacy Training: Fight CRC introduced the first RATS (Research Advocacy Training and Support) Academy at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, training five research advocates to engage in the research process and represent the patient voice effectively.

Celebrity Engagement: The year saw heightened engagement from celebrities, including Luke Perry and country singer Craig Campbell, who both played crucial roles in raising awareness through various media appearances and events. Craig Campbell also co-wrote and released the song “Stronger Than That” with stage IV survivor Rose Hausmann, which became a message of hope for the community.

Mass Media and Digital Campaigns: En #StrongArmSelfie campaign, which reached over 57 million people, and the Luke Perry PSA, which garnered 89.6 million impressions, were pivotal in expanding Fight CRC’s message of prevention and awareness across the globe.

Innovation and community have always been at the heart of our work. During these years, we expanded our research initiatives, introduced tools like the Clinical Trial Finder, and grew our Ambassador Program, training even more voices to advocate for change and support their communities.

Presidential Proclamation: For the first time in 13 years, March 2014 was officially recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month through a presidential proclamation. This achievement was the result of coordinated efforts by Fight CRC and supported by other advocacy groups, bringing national attention to the importance of colorectal cancer screening and prevention.

Loophole Fix Push: Fight CRC met with White House staff to push for an administrative fix for the colonoscopy loophole, in partnership with ACS CAN and other members of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT).

Call-on Congress: The 2014 Call-on Congress was a major success, with over 80 advocates from 29 states meeting with more than 100 congressional offices. This event helped to secure significant legislative support for colorectal cancer-related bills, including the introduction of S. 2348 by Sen. Sherrod Brown, a companion bill to H.R. 1070, which aimed to remove barriers to screening.

One Million Strong Campaign: The One Million Strong campaign continued to grow, engaging celebrities like Craig Campbell, Katie Couric, and Carson Daly, who used their platforms to raise awareness. The campaign also saw collaborations with over 15 organizations, including Mayo Clinic and the American Cancer Society.

Expansion of Resources: Fight CRC enhanced its resources for patients, launching Your Guía en la lucha for those fighting stage III and IV colorectal cancer, along with new website content and blogs.

Lisa Fund Grant Recipient: The 2014 Lisa Fund grant was awarded to Dr. Ho-Chou Tu of Boston Children’s Hospital, supporting late-stage colorectal cancer research.

Research Advocacy: Fight CRC worked on multiple PCORI grants with institutions like the University of North Carolina and Kaiser Permanente, and our research advocates actively participated in national and local committees, contributing to the development of clinical trial protocols and grant applications.

Proclaiming March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Fight CRC’s state proclamation campaign achieved remarkable success, with advocates from all 50 states requesting proclamations, and 48 governors officially recognizing March 2014 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This campaign demonstrated the power of grassroots advocacy in achieving widespread recognition and support for colorectal cancer awareness.

Launch of the One Million Strong Campaign: This major awareness campaign kicked off in Times Square, New York, with events featuring celebrities, an inflatable colon, and powerful survivor stories. The campaign was covered by major outlets, including Good Morning America and ABC News, and it made a powerful impact by educating the public that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable.

Celebrity Involvement: The campaign garnered attention from high-profile individuals like Sheryl Crow and Lady A’s Charles Kelley, amplifying the reach and impact of the message.

Legislative Successes: Fight CRC’s advocacy efforts saw considerable success in 2013, particularly with the introduction of H.R. 1070, the Fighting Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. This bill aimed to eliminate the barriers to screening for underserved populations.

Call-on Congress continued to grow, with 80 advocates from 24 states participating in 104 Hill meetings, underscoring the community’s growing influence on Capitol Hill.

Congressional Champion: Rep. Donald Payne Jr. joins the fight. We were honored as Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. joined us this year to honor his father, a former member of Congress who passed away from colorectal cancer in March 2012. Rep. Payne Jr. met with advocates from his state (New Jersey) during Call-on Congress and worked with our staff to produce a video for our advocates about the importance of face-to-face meetings with our elected officials.

Lisa Fund Research Grant: The sixth Lisa Fund grant was awarded to Dr. Maria Pia Morelli at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focused on personalized medicine, particularly in understanding how genetic mutations affect patients’ responsiveness to certain colorectal cancer treatments.

This grant was part of Fight CRC’s ongoing commitment to supporting late-stage colorectal cancer research, with more than $350,000 awarded through the Lisa Fund by 2013.

Medicare Cost Sharing payment Advocacy: Fight CRC stayed focused on addressing the issue of Medicare copayments cost-sharing for colorectal cancer screenings. A major victory was the introduction of H.R. 4120 by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, which aimed to eliminate copayments coinsurance when a screening colonoscopy includes polyp removal. This effort was fueled by personal stories shared by Call-on Congress advocates, showcasing the power of grassroots advocacy in driving legislative change.

Lisa Fund Research Grant: The 2012 Lisa Fund continued to support young researchers focused on advanced colorectal cancer. Notably, the first-ever two-year, $100,000 Lisa Fund award was planned, furthering the commitment to funding innovative research that could lead to better treatments and outcomes for late-stage colorectal cancer patients.

Research Advocacy Participation: Fight CRC’s advocates played an active role in national research committees, including those at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Defense. This involvement ensured that the patient perspective was represented in discussions about research priorities and funding, driving progress in colorectal cancer research.

Ringing the Bell at NASDAQ: Fight CRC had the honor of ringing the NASDQ Closing Bell for the first time to mark the close of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This moment was a powerful way to end a month dedicated to advocating for colorectal cancer patients and survivors.

Lisa Fund Research Grant: The 2012 Lisa Fund continued to support young researchers focused on advanced colorectal cancer. Notably, the first-ever two-year, $100,000 Lisa Fund award was planned, furthering the commitment to funding innovative research that could lead to better treatments and outcomes for late-stage colorectal cancer patients

Rebranding to Fight Colorectal Cancer: “The organization rebranded from C3 to Fight Colorectal Cancer, a move that clarified its mission and positioned it as a leader in the advocacy space.” Judi Sohn, Fight CRC Co-Founder

Medicare Cost-Sharing Advocacy: Fight Colorectal Cancer played a critical role in advocating against Medicare cost-sharing for colorectal cancer screening. The organization pushed for policy changes that would prevent Medicare beneficiaries from being charged for cancer screenings if a polyp was removed during a routine colonoscopy, ensuring that screenings remained accessible and affordable.

National Attention on Drug Shortages: Fight Colorectal Cancer was at the forefront of addressing the critical shortage of life-saving chemotherapy drugs, such as fluorouracil (5-FU). The organization provided crucial information and support to patients affected by these shortages, while also advocating for legislative solutions to prevent future crises.

Lisa Fund Research Grant: The 2011 Lisa Fund grant was awarded to Dr. Jon H. Chung from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Chung’s research aimed to better understand the signaling pathways in cancer cells, which could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for colorectal cancer patients

Top 10 High-Impact Cancer Nonprofits: Fight CRC was recognized by Philanthropedia as one of the top 10 high-impact cancer nonprofits in the U.S., a testament to its effective advocacy and patient support programs.

Department of Defense Funding Secured: For the first time, the Coalition successfully secured colorectal cancer as part of $15 million in funding for research through the Department of Defense. While this funding was split between seven other cancer types, this marked a significant legislative victory, expanding research opportunities for colorectal cancer and highlighting the disease’s importance on a national level. We have successfully advocated to secure continued and increased funding for colorectal cancer research under this program each year since 2010.

Founder and Board Chair Nancy Roach was invited to join the panel that set priorities and reviewed initial proposals for the Defense Department’s new research program into colorectal and other cancers.

American Care Act is Passed: In July 2010, Fight CRC President Carlea Bauman was one of 50 healthcare leaders invited to hear First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announce the startup of the Affordable Health Care Act’s requirement that new insurance plans must cover free preventive health care — including colorectal cancer screening — without cost-sharing. Fight Colorectal Cancer pushed this effort further by calling on all existing insurers to adopt the same guidelines. We also spoke out against part of the regulation allowing insurers to add cost-sharing if, during a screening colonoscopy, a precancerous polyp was found and removed (thus becoming a treatment).

Healthcare Reform Involvement: During the health care reform debate, the Coalition played a pivotal role in advocating for provisions that would benefit colorectal cancer patients. This included the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, protection from lifetime insurance limits, and increased reimbursement for clinical trial participants.

Lisa Fund Recipient Number Three: The Coalition awarded the 2010 Lisa Fund grant to Dr. Rona Yaeger at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Yaeger’s research focused on inhibiting specific growth-stimulating proteins in cancer cells, particularly for patients with normal (unmutated) KRAS genes. Her goal was to translate basic science advances into treatments for advanced colorectal cancer.

Answer Line Expansion: The Coalition’s Answer Line, which provided personalized support to colorectal cancer patients, saw an 181% increase in calls during the second half of fiscal year 2010. This service became an essential resource for patients navigating the complexities of their diagnosis and treatment.

Congressional Butt-In Campaign: The Congressional Butt-In phone blitz was a powerful grassroots advocacy effort in which supporters from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were mobilized to call their members of Congress. These calls urged legislators to support colorectal cancer screening legislation, specifically the H.R. 1189 bill, which aimed to improve access to screening for underserved populations. This coordinated campaign demonstrated the strength and reach of the Coalition’s advocacy network, successfully raising awareness and garnering legislative support.

National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: C3 worked with Congress to draft legislation for a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program for low-income, uninsured people aged 50-64. This program was modeled after successful national screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, representing a significant bipartisan effort to reduce colorectal cancer mortality.

Congressional Resolutions and Recognitions: C3 successfully advocated for a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, making fighting colorectal cancer a federal priority and recognizing the tenth anniversary of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Call-on Congress & Congressional Butt-In: C3 trained 65 colorectal cancer advocates for Call-on Congress, where they held more than 80 meetings with members of Congress. The Congressional Butt-In phone blitz generated 3,000 calls in one day, significantly impacting legislative support for colorectal cancer initiatives.

Lisa Fund Recipient Number Two: The second Lisa Fund research grant was awarded to Dr. Jeffrey Chou from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Chou’s research focused on making colorectal cancer stem cells more vulnerable to the immune system, advancing the science of late-stage colorectal cancer treatment.

Cover Your Butt Campaign: C3 launched the Cover Your Butt Campaign, a major advocacy effort focused on securing federal legislation for colorectal cancer screening coverage. The campaign included the Congressional Butt-In, a coordinated day of calls to Capitol Hill that mobilized thousands of advocates to support colorectal cancer screening legislation.

First Lisa Fund Research Grant: C3 awarded its first Lisa Fund Research Fellows Grant to Dr. Yaguang Xi, funding research on microRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer, advancing research that could improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Call-on Congress and Congressional Butt-In: C3’s Call-on Congress and Congressional Butt-in engaged nearly 2,000 advocates, raising awareness and building support for colorectal cancer screening legislation through over 325 office contacts!

RATS Training at ASCO: C3 expanded its Research Advocacy Training by hosting a program at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. This training equipped advocates to engage more effectively in research, ensuring that patient voices were integral to clinical trial design and funding decisions.

New York Stock Exchange Bell Ringing: To mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, C3 representatives rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, raising national awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection and screening.

Advocacy Impact: C3 successfully influenced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue coverage for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs), ensuring that colorectal cancer patients could continue to access these important supportive care drugs.

State-Level Advocacy: Advocacy efforts in Tennessee led to the introduction of the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation focused on increasing screening rates and improving access to treatment for colorectal cancer patients in the state.

Research Advocacy Program: The Research Advocacy Training and Support (RATS) program was launched, empowering survivors and caregivers to influence the research process by representing the patient perspective in clinical trials and research protocols. This program, originally called GI Cancer Research Advocates, ensures that the voices of those directly affected by colorectal cancer shape research priorities.

First Call-on Congress: C3 held its first Call-on Congress in 2006, taking 24 advocates to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers. This event became a cornerstone of Fight CRC’s advocacy efforts, empowering survivors and caregivers to directly influence colorectal cancer policy.

Legislative Victory: C3 successfully secured the passage of the New York Colon-Prostate Treatment Act, making New York the first state to cover colorectal cancer treatment for the uninsured. This was a major win for increasing access to care, driven by grassroots advocacy.

Defeating Harmful Legislation: C3 played a critical role in defeating the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization & Affordability Act (S. 1955), which threatened access to state-regulated colorectal cancer screenings. Community action preserved essential patient protections and access to care.

The Lisa Fund Established: Named in honor of Lisa Dubow, this fund was dedicated to supporting young researchers focused on late-stage colorectal cancer, ensuring that innovative research could continue, despite shrinking federal funding.

Partnering with the National Cancer Institute: C3 partnered with the NCI to raise awareness about high-priority colorectal cancer clinical trials. This partnership helped ensure that more patients, particularly those on Medicare, could access cutting-edge treatments, removing barriers to clinical trial participation.