FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, V Foundation for Cancer Research, and First Ascent Biomedical have joined a growing national coalition working to close gaps in colorectal cancer care
[Springfield, Missouri] Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) today highlighted the expansion of its Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative (CRCCI), a national coalition focused on transforming screening, diagnosis, and treatment standards, which has welcomed three new endorsing organizations. The Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, V Foundation for Cancer Research, and First Ascent Biomedical have all signed on to lend their support to the initiative, which unites organizations around a shared set of benchmarks aimed at improving outcomes at every stage of the colorectal cancer care continuum, from screening and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care.
The three organizations bring distinct strengths in community-based equity work, cancer research funding, and precision medicine to a coalition already spanning health systems, advocacy groups, employers, and medical associations nationwide.
“Closing the gaps in colorectal cancer care takes more than any one type of organization can do alone,” said Joya Delgado Harris, Director of CRCCI at Fight Colorectal Cancer. “These three organizations each bring something unique to this coalition, reflective of the all-hands-on-deck approach and commitment that colorectal cancer patients deserve.”
Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, which joined CRCCI this summer, works to close disparities in colorectal cancer outcomes among African-American men and other underserved populations, meeting people directly in their communities through education, screening access, and grassroots partnership.
V Foundation for Cancer Research, also an endorser since this summer, funds cancer research and scientists working to accelerate breakthroughs across the field. As a research funder rather than a direct care provider, its endorsement reflects how CRCCI’s goals resonate not only with those delivering care, but with those funding the discoveries meant to improve it.
First Ascent Biomedical, the coalition’s newest endorser, is a biotechnology company that tests hundreds of FDA-approved drugs against a patient’s own cancer cells to identify which treatments are most likely to work, helping clinicians make faster, more precise treatment decisions.
CRCCI includes endorsing organizations across health systems, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, nonprofit and patient advocacy groups, and medical associations. Endorsers are united around two CRCCI goals with measurable targets. Goal 1 focuses on timely screening for prevention and early detection, aiming for an 80% screening rate among average-risk patients and ensuring 80% of patients with an abnormal non-invasive test receive follow-up colonoscopy within 90 days. Goal 2 focuses on accurate diagnosis and timely treatment initiation, with targets of 80% of CRC patients receiving biomarker testing per NCCN Guidelines®, 80% receiving germline genetic testing at diagnosis, and 80% initiating treatment within six weeks of diagnosis.
To learn more about CRCCI or to inquire about becoming an endorsing organization, visit fightcolorectalcancer.org or contact Joya Delgado Harris at joya@fightcrc.org.
About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight CRC is the leading colorectal cancer advocacy organization offering patient support, screening guidance, research updates, and ways to take action against colon and rectal cancer.
About the Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative
The CRCCI is a national coalition of patient advocates, physicians, public health champions and healthcare leaders uniting around data-driven goals to transform colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Learn how your organization can join the initiative and advance our shared mission.
Media Contact:
Name: Joya Delgado Harris
Email: joya@fightcrc.org.