Newly Diagnosed Just found out you or a loved one have colorectal cancer (CRC)? Let us help you navigate this time by providing support, resources, and HOPE. Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Copy this URL Share via Email We're here for you. Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) FIGHTS to cure colorectal cancer and serve as relentless champions of hope for all affected by this disease through informed patient support, impactful policy change, and breakthrough research endeavors. We're the leading patient-empowerment and advocacy organization in the United States, providing balanced and objective information on colon and rectal cancer research, treatment, and policy. We are relentless champions of hope, focused on funding promising, high-impact research endeavors, while equipping advocates to influence legislation and policy for the collective good. Getting a colorectal cancer diagnosis is scary -- we get that. And it's why we aim to be your go-to place for resources and support. Join our community of relentless champions to be the first to receive new resources and opportunities to connect with others who understand what you're going through. Support at Your Fingertips Click the buttons below to learn more about our programs and resources. Your Guide in the Fight meetups pATIENT & CAREGIVER resources champion stories free helpline Patient ed & research team Your Guide in the Fight Meetups Your Guide in the Fight Meetups are an opportunity to connect with people who have been in your shoes. No one fights alone. These meetups also give you a chance to share your experiences with other patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and medical professionals. We know that a colorectal cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the patient, it affects everyone who loves you. REgister for a meetup What to expect Learn about Fight CRC resources and support available Connect with people who are going through treatment, who can give tips on everyday issues and listen to other’s experiences because they’ve been there, too. What not to expect A meetup does not take the place of a doctor or a health care team. This is not a case management or navigation program. This is not a formal counseling session. When we say “meetup” we mean just that-we intend to meet our community members where they are, allowing them to steer the direction of the conversation and dictate the topics discussed. Patient & Caregiver Resources Our resource library has been curated to provide you with the resources you need in the format you want. From fact sheets and publications, to webinars and podcasts, we have a little something for everyone. Click on the photos below for our most popular resources for newly diagnosed patients and their families, or click the button to go to our full resource library. visit the resource library Your Guide in the Fight https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/resources/beyond-blue-spring-2021/ Financial Barriers and Practical Issues After Cancer Champion Stories Colorectal cancer is a unique experience, but you may find you have a lot in common with other survivors, caregivers, and loved ones. Find inspiration from other champions and share your story to be featured. read champion stories share your story Patients & Survivors | Stage III Colon Cancer Melvin Fernandes “My older brother is a GI doctor and during a trip to watch the Ryder Cup in Chaska, Minnesota in 2016, he told me that something about my recent weight […] Ostomy, Side Effects, Treatments, Colostomy, Permanent, Bowel irregularities, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery Patients & Survivors | Stage III Colon Cancer Abbey Schnell Story: “October 4th, 2012, started like any other day. I work from home so I went into my home office to start working. An hour into my shift, my water […] Side Effects, Treatments, Chemotherapy, Surgery, Genetics and Family History, Early-Age Onset, Ostomy, Colostomy, Distress or mental health issues/illness Patients & Survivors | Stage III Rectal Cancer Ryan Vieth I was diagnosed with stage IIIc rectal cancer on September 12, 2019, at the age of 47. I had been working with my primary care physician on intestinal issues (thin […] Treatments, Chemotherapy, Surgery, Ostomy Family & Friends | Stage IV Carrie Gibson Story: “On December 18th, 2009, I was at a Christmas gathering when I received a call from my twin sister. Our dad, the big boss, the strong one, was diagnosed […] Ostomy, Treatments, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery, Colostomy Patients & Survivors | Rectal Cancer Brenda Pletcher Story: “After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities, Treatments, Surgery Patients & Survivors | Stage IV Colon Cancer Erika Garcia “The few weeks leading up to September 26, 2020, I’d been having a bit more trouble getting the kick in my giddy up going. My brother and I had been […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities Patients & Survivors | Stage I Colon Cancer Joanne Roy Story: “My sister was diagnosed at age 40 with stage IV colon cancer (survivor). Little did I know then, that my screening should have begun right away at age 35. […] Early-Age Onset, Side Effects, Secondary cancer(s) Patients & Survivors | Stage III Rectal Cancer Liz Harvey “A friend had emailed me to encourage my husband to get a colonoscopy. A mutual friend had recently been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer and he knew my husband […] Patients & Survivors | Stage I Colon Cancer Evan Conant Story: “In 2015, I was self-employed, caring for a severely disabled spouse, raising a teenage daughter, and managing expensive private pay health insurance. I finally got a colonoscopy and was […] Patients & Survivors | Stage II Colon Cancer Michael Atwell Story: “I went to the ER for lower left abdomen pain, which I thought was being caused by dehydration. My CT scan showed a mass in my lower colon. I […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities, Treatments, Surgery Patients & Survivors | Stage II Colon Cancer Robert Ceragno Story: “I am lucky — I suspected something was wrong. I had a colonoscopy done and a polyp was discovered and removed. I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. […] Treatments, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery Previous Next Slide 0 Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Free Helpline The Cancer Support Community (CSC) offers a free helpline to cancer patients and their families. TOLL-FREE LINE: 1-888-793-9355 The Cancer Support Community runs a call center (Cancer Support Helpline) staffed by licensed mental health professionals and resource specialists who are experts at providing information and referrals to local, regional, and national resources, distress screening, decision-support counseling, and short-term counseling services. Live assistance is available from 9am-9pm EST Monday through Friday and 9am-5pm EST on Saturday and Sunday. Meet Our Patient Education Team Our team is made up of talented and dedicated Relentless Champions of Hope. We work to provide you with the most up-to-date colorectal cancer resources and help you make meaningful connections with others in our community. Danielle Ripley-Burgess Chief Storyteller Zac Getty Patient Education and Research Program Manager Brian Thomas Research Program Manager Carole Motycka Patient Education Project Manager Phuong Gallagher Research Advocate Training & Support (RATS) Manager Maia Walker Lead Curator of the Fight CRC Trial Finder Arcita Pramudita Patient Education Intern Carli King Patient Education and Research Advocacy Intern
Patients & Survivors | Stage III Colon Cancer Melvin Fernandes “My older brother is a GI doctor and during a trip to watch the Ryder Cup in Chaska, Minnesota in 2016, he told me that something about my recent weight […] Ostomy, Side Effects, Treatments, Colostomy, Permanent, Bowel irregularities, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery
Patients & Survivors | Stage III Colon Cancer Abbey Schnell Story: “October 4th, 2012, started like any other day. I work from home so I went into my home office to start working. An hour into my shift, my water […] Side Effects, Treatments, Chemotherapy, Surgery, Genetics and Family History, Early-Age Onset, Ostomy, Colostomy, Distress or mental health issues/illness
Patients & Survivors | Stage III Rectal Cancer Ryan Vieth I was diagnosed with stage IIIc rectal cancer on September 12, 2019, at the age of 47. I had been working with my primary care physician on intestinal issues (thin […] Treatments, Chemotherapy, Surgery, Ostomy
Family & Friends | Stage IV Carrie Gibson Story: “On December 18th, 2009, I was at a Christmas gathering when I received a call from my twin sister. Our dad, the big boss, the strong one, was diagnosed […] Ostomy, Treatments, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery, Colostomy
Patients & Survivors | Rectal Cancer Brenda Pletcher Story: “After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities, Treatments, Surgery
Patients & Survivors | Stage IV Colon Cancer Erika Garcia “The few weeks leading up to September 26, 2020, I’d been having a bit more trouble getting the kick in my giddy up going. My brother and I had been […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities
Patients & Survivors | Stage I Colon Cancer Joanne Roy Story: “My sister was diagnosed at age 40 with stage IV colon cancer (survivor). Little did I know then, that my screening should have begun right away at age 35. […] Early-Age Onset, Side Effects, Secondary cancer(s)
Patients & Survivors | Stage III Rectal Cancer Liz Harvey “A friend had emailed me to encourage my husband to get a colonoscopy. A mutual friend had recently been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer and he knew my husband […]
Patients & Survivors | Stage I Colon Cancer Evan Conant Story: “In 2015, I was self-employed, caring for a severely disabled spouse, raising a teenage daughter, and managing expensive private pay health insurance. I finally got a colonoscopy and was […]
Patients & Survivors | Stage II Colon Cancer Michael Atwell Story: “I went to the ER for lower left abdomen pain, which I thought was being caused by dehydration. My CT scan showed a mass in my lower colon. I […] Side Effects, Bowel irregularities, Treatments, Surgery
Patients & Survivors | Stage II Colon Cancer Robert Ceragno Story: “I am lucky — I suspected something was wrong. I had a colonoscopy done and a polyp was discovered and removed. I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. […] Treatments, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery