Call-on Congress is Fight CRC’s signature advocacy event.
Call-on Congress is Fight CRC’s signature advocacy event. It started in 2006 from Fight CRC founder Nancy Roach’s vision and deeply held belief that patients need to be at the table where policy decisions are being made.
What to Expect:
Advocate training
You’ll receive both virtual and in-person training and connect with fellow advocates to gain the skills needed to effectively engage with your members of Congress. Get ready to learn, network, and prepare to make a powerful impact on Capitol Hill.
Meetings with Legislators
Take what you learn to Capitol Hill! Join forces with relentless advocates from across the country to share your story and advocate for impactful policy change directly with your legislators. Your voice, story, passion — this is where it all comes together to make a difference.
Advocacy Doesn’t End in Washington, D.C.
Your voice matters long after Call-on Congress. Advocacy is an ongoing effort that happens in your hometown, your community, and even online. Whether you’re meeting with your member of Congress at their district office, attending a local town hall, or sparking conversations in your neighborhood, every action helps strengthen relationships and push progress forward.
Here are simple ways for you to stay engaged and keep the momentum going all year:
Advocate in Your Community
Share your story, connect with local leaders, and raise awareness about the needs of those impacted by colorectal cancer.
Host a Local Event or Drop-Off
Organize a gathering or deliver materials to your lawmakers’ offices to make sure colorectal cancer stays on their radar.
Take Action Online
Use emails, social media, and our digital tools to amplify your impact and join a collective voice fighting for change.
Travel & funding support options
When you attend Call-on Congress, you have the chance to share your story and engage with elected officials on Capitol Hill. This event is a powerful opportunity to advocate for increased funding for colorectal cancer screening and research programs. To make participation accessible for everyone, we offer scholarships that help cover costs of attending Call-on Congress. These scholarships ensure stories to be part of the movement for policy change.
Application Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on 11/21/2025
Junior Advocates program
The Junior Advocate program empowers children impacted by colorectal cancer to become confident advocates and future leaders in policy change. Young advocates build connections, support each other, and develop their voices to advocate year-round. Each March, Junior Advocates come together to Washington, D.C. for Call-on Congress to make their voices heard.
Even if you can’t attend Call-on Congress, Junior Advocates continue to interact and advocate together throughout the year. For Junior Advocates aged 13 and older, there’s a dedicated group inside Community of Champions where you can stay connected, informed, and actively engaged in advocacy, no matter where you are.
United in Blue
The United in Blue installation on the National Mall is a breathtaking, powerful, and somber reminder of the urgent need for colorectal cancer advocacy. Each March, 27,000 blue flags will cover the National Mall to symbolize the 27,000 people, ages 20-49, projected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer by 2030. Each flag tells a story—a story of someone whose life will be impacted by this disease, reminding us why we must continue to fight for change. We cannot wait. United in Blue casts a national spotlight on colorectal cancer and the critical need for government funding for both screening and research.
Get Involved on Capitol Hill
Discover how you can join the fight, honor champions, and make a difference in colorectal cancer advocacy. Together, we can raise awareness, drive action, and support those impacted by this disease. Explore opportunities to get involved, from volunteering and advocacy to celebrating the champions leading the way.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, March 1, 2025
United in Blue Volunteer Day
9:00AM – 4:00PM • National Mall
Join us on the National Mall to bring United in Blue to life. Together, we’ll plant 27,400 blue flags, each symbolizing a young person projected to face colorectal cancer in the year 2030. Join us as a volunteer—everyone is welcome, including kids! Even if you are limited by physical constraints, there are plenty of other ways to get involved on-site
Call-on Congress expo
Early Check in and Mix & Mingle
6pm – 8pm • Hilton Arlington National Landing
Connect with fellow advocates, share stories, and build relationships before the main event begins. This relaxed gathering sets the stage for collaboration and inspiration as we prepare to make our voices heard. Light refreshments provided.
Monday, March 2, 2025
Advocacy Training
Morning • Hilton Arlington National Landing
Empower your advocacy journey with this essential training session! Learn how to:
- Make Your Voice Heard
Understand the tools and techniques needed to create lasting change in colorectal cancer policy and funding. - Share Your Story
Craft a compelling and impactful narrative that connects your personal experience to our shared mission. - Prepare for Congressional Meetings
Gain confidence with practical tips and strategies to engage policymakers effectively.
Junior Advocates: Making Your Voice Count
Morning • Hilton Arlington National Landing
This session is a time for Junior Advocates, ages 7-17, to come together and learn the basics of advocacy while raising awareness for colorectal cancer (CRC).
Advocate Breakout Sessions
Afternoon • Hilton Arlington National Landing
Find tools and information for every step of your colorectal cancer journey. Connect with your fellow advocates from your state or across the country: Now’s the time to connect with community!
Junior Advocates: Making Your Voice Count
Afternoon • Hilton Arlington National Landing
This session empowers Junior Advocates to understand the broader scope of advocacy and equips them with the tools to make a difference wherever they are.
Together we will learn how to communicate advocacy messages effectively to lawmakers, practice telling stories, and understanding the importance of your voice in influencing policy.
Rally at United in Blue
5:30PM • National Mall
Celebrate the effort behind United in Blue at our evening rally on the National Mall. Shine a spotlight on colorectal cancer and honor the collective work that made this display possible.
Tuesday, March 3, 2025
Group Photo at the Capitol
9:00AM • Capitol Hill
Stand together with fellow advocates as a powerful force for change in the fight against colorectal cancer.
Congressional Meetings
10:00AM – 4:00PM • Capitol Hill
Call-on Congress attendees take their advocacy to Capitol Hill! Meet with elected officials and their staff to champion colorectal cancer policy change.
Celebration Dinner
7:00PM • Hilton Arlington National Landing
Celebrate your advocacy on Capitol Hill and the great work meeting with elected officials and their staff to champion colorectal cancer policy change. In the evening, join us for our Celebration Dinner honoring 20 years of Fight CRC’s advocacy and impact.
Honor Your Loved One
Honor the courage and legacy of those impacted by colorectal cancer by adding a name to the Wall of Champions. Displayed alongside 27,400 blue flags on the National Mall, this tribute celebrates those fighting today and remembers those we’ve lost. Dedicate a name this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and inspire action.
Our Sponsors
Should you have any inquiries or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at advocate@fightcrc.org.
