Fight Colorectal Cancer get behind a cure. About Me! Turning Catastrophic Illness into Advocacy Teamed up with Fight CRC in 2013 through: Call-on Congress Patient Advocate ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER #2 cancer killer in the U.S. among men & women combined 1 in 3 people need to be screened 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed 60% of deaths could be avoided with screening 90% curable if caught at earliest stage
POPULATION FACTS Average age at diagnosis is 72; everyone 50+ needs screened African Americans have a greater risk of colorectal cancer 1 An ongoing change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely) 2 Stools that are narrower than usual 3 Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool (poop) 4 Rectal bleeding 5 Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or abdominal cramps 6 Weight loss for no known reason 7 Feeling very tired (weakness and fatigue) More than half of all Asian Americans have not been screened Rates declining in age 50+ but on the rise in those under age 50; phenomenon known as early-onset colorectal cancer PREVENTION SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Age Personal history of polyps or cancer Inflammatory bowel disorders Diet Lifestyle PREVENTION RISKS
Risk increases if first-degree family member has CRC or polyps PREVENTION GENETICS Common syndromes FAP & AFAP Lynch syndrome MAP Take-home tests Radiology tests Colonoscopy Tests that find both polyps and cancer PREVENTION SCREENING Tests that find primarily cancer Best test is the one that gets done ABOUT FIGHT CRC National nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2005. Focus on 4 areas: Advocacy/policy Research Awareness Patient Education
ADVOCACY/ POLICY Leading voice on the Hill for colorectal cancer patients Dir. of Government Affairs based in D.C. Advocacy manager cultivates the growing advocate community in-person and online Congressional Advisory Committee 2017 LEGISLATIVE GOALS Remove Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Invest in Colorectal Cancer Research Protect the Best Interest of Patients Remove Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Correct a loophole in current Medicare policy requiring Medicare beneficiaries to pay co-insurance if polyps are detected and removed during a screening colonoscopy. (HR 1017 /S 479)
Invest in Colorectal Cancer Research Appropriate funding for 21st Century Cures as part of the FY 2017 federal budget and increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $34.5 billion, including $5.9 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for FY 2017. PSA With Professional Race Car Driver Scott Lagasse, Jr. Protect the Best Interest of Patients Protect the Affordable Care Act s (ACA) ban on pre-existing condition limitations, elimination of annual and lifetime coverage caps, and maintain coverage of screening services and guaranteed renewability. Pre-existing Conditions Annual and Lifetime Coverage Caps Prevention and Screening Services Guaranteed Renewability CRC RESEARCH Fund late-stage research grants Build partnerships with research organizations and academic institutions Train research advocates to bring a patient perspective to the scientific process Advocate for more research funding at Congressional level
2017 RESEARCH PROJECTS Convene Immunotherapy work group with CRC experts Award $400,000 grant in partnership with Cancer Research Institute Engaged with Moonshot program and National Cancer Institute (NCI) Hosting additional RATS Academies AWARENESS Raise awareness with storytelling to reach those impacted by the disease One Million Strong community members share their connection to the disease Kick off campaign each March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Social media #StrongArmSelfie year-long way to engage with the cause PATIENT EDUCATION Supporting patients to be their own health advocates Library of free resources offers both digital and print materials New resources released each month Focus groups with patient advocates inform content of future pieces
5 EASY WAYS TO JOIN THE FIGHT 1. Get screened! 2. Do a #StrongArmSelfie 3. Wear BLUE especially in March 4. Become a virtual advocate 5. Donate! WHY DONATE TO FIGHT CRC? 93 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our programs 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator Doubled the dollars donated to research last year We invest in people and programs that make a measurable impact in patients lives JOIN THE FIGHT! FightCRC.org