Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) will host over 150 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, caregivers, and advocates in Washington, D.C., where they will spend two days preparing to talk with legislative staff about how colorectal cancer has personally impacted them, as well as the importance of preventative screening and research funding.
Colorectal cancer (CRC), colon and rectal cancer, is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Recently, the American Cancer Society recommended that average-risk adults start getting screened at 45 instead of 50 years old.
Fight CRC’s signature advocacy event, Call-on Congress hosted for survivors, caregivers, and loved ones impacted by colon and rectal cancers will take place March 17-19, 2019 at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va. and the U.S. Capitol.
This is the thirteenth year Fight CRC will host this event where advocates learn the latest on colorectal cancer research and policy issues from leading experts nationwide. The event will culminate in a Hill Day on March 19 where state delegations of advocates meet with Members of Congress and their staff.
Advocates will hear from Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-D), a colorectal cancer survivor, on the importance of their work to educate and bring awareness to the Hill on this issue. Fight CRC will also host a briefing on the Hill on Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 AM featuring an image gallery of colorectal cancer patients and their stories.
“Advocacy works!” said Chad Schrack, advocate and caregiver to his wife. “Working with Fight CRC, our daughter wrote an email to Senator Sherrod Brown (OH-D) to see if he was planning to reintroduce the Removing Barriers to Screening Act. We received a quick response that he is. Advocates are essential in giving a face to this terrible, but preventable, disease so that legislators know how their votes affect real people.”
This year’s efforts will focus on educating all new Members of Congress about colorectal cancer and urging them to cosponsor the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act” (Medicare Loophole Bill) which can leave qualified Americans with a large bill to pay if polyps are removed during a screening colonoscopy.
“Fight CRC has been and will continue to be relentless in the push to get this law fixed, as its implications will impact generations to come,” said Anjee Davis, President of Fight CRC. “This is the fifth Congress to introduce this bill and the ninth year Fight CRC advocates have pushed for its passing. Around 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented through screening. It’s time we get this done. Many lives could be saved.”
Leading up to and during the month of March, Fight CRC is promoting the signing of the Break Down Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening petition. Sign the petition at GetBehindACure.org. Signatures added to the petition will be sent to legislators at the end of March.
Call-on Congress is generously sponsored by Exact Sciences, Genentech, Merck, and NoShave November
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About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a trusted, national nonprofit advocacy organization fighting for a cure. It was founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, a patient advocate who witnessed the need for colorectal cancer advocacy after her mother-in-law’s diagnosis. The organization plays an important role in rallying colorectal cancer advocates to action. Fight CRC is known for activism and patient empowerment throughout patient, academic, political, scientific, medical and nonprofit communities. With a mission focused on advocacy, research, patient education, and awareness, the organization serves advocates in every state of the U.S. and many others around the world. Fight CRC is rated Platinum by nonprofit monitoring group GuideStar and is recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator. To learn more, visit FightCRC.org
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