Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves! ? About 3.5 years ago, the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation became a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a simple but important mission: to fight for equal access to colorectal cancer (CRC) care for African American men and other underserved communities. ? No matter where people live, work, worship, or play, we are here to ensure they have the knowledge, screenings, and support needed to prevent and beat this disease. We remain dedicated to breaking down CRC-related barriers, so everyone has a fair shot at good health and a brighter future. ? Here’s a look at 7 of our wins from the last 366 days: [1] Free CRC Screenings: In 2023 and 2024, we offered free stool-based CRC tests to people aged 18 to 75 in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as early-onset CRC continues to rise globally and has become a pressing public health issue. [2] National CRC Awareness Month: In January 2024, we partnered with 33 organizations to successfully advocate for March 2024 to be designated as CRC Awareness Month. We’re grateful for the support of President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris in the fight against CRC. [3] Supporting Early Detection: We donated over $45,000 and teamed up with Fight Colorectal Cancer and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to support screening programs for Black Americans and raise national awareness during CRC Awareness Month. [4] Research Impact: We supported the drafting, editing, submission, and publication of 12 peer-reviewed research articles in 2024, driving forward the conversation on CRC. [5] Empowering Leaders: From March to April 2024, we awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to CRC advocates and academic leaders, allowing them to attend key conferences and amplify our mission of promoting CRC justice for all. [6] Joining National Efforts: We were honored to join the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) in April 2024, working with leading organizations to boost CRC screening rates and improve health outcomes. [7] Engaging Communities: We continue to champion CRC equity and provide education through our growing social media presence, engaging thousands of followers across Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. ? We are grateful for your support and look forward to creating even greater impact together. Let’s keep pushing forward for CRC justice and health equity!

Gratitude is a powerful feeling. It can turn our everyday moments into reasons for celebration, make boring tasks enjoyable, & transform ordinary chances into real blessings. This week, I had the chance to attend the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) Annual Meeting, & I am truly thankful for the experiences I had there. I connected with Anita Mitchell, who founded Dress in Blue Day & is a brave survivor of stage IV colon cancer. Listening to the stories of colorectal cancer survivors & caregivers reminded me of the strength and resilience people can show. I was also inspired to see Dr. Lisa Richardson receive the Distinguished National #Leadership Award. ?? ?? During the meeting, I was reminded how important it is to not only think about different options but also to stay curious as we work to reduce disparities in #ColorectalCancer. It’s essential to to also remember that people’s health is often shaped by their social situations rather than the other way around. This perspective helps us develop empathy & understand others better. As we leave this meeting & take the lessons we learned to heart, let’s commit to becoming leaders who inspire others. Together, we can stay prepared to tackle the challenges of colorectal cancer & work towards justice for the communities we serve. #NCCRT2024 #80InEveryCommunity #CRCequity

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing donors for their incredible support! Their generosity not only supports the attendance of phenomenal scientist like Dr. Ami at the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) Annual Meeting—it also helps us spread awareness about an issue that is affecting more & more young people—#ColorectalCancer. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t realize that this type of cancer is becoming more common among younger generations. Together, we can work to change that by sharing knowledge & encouraging everyone to take care of their health. Let's unite in this mission & empower each other to make informed choices about our well-being! #NCCRT2024 #CRCequity #Gratitude #ColorectalCancerAwareness

?? Texas bound for the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) Annual Meeting! ?? The Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation is honored to be a member of this vital Roundtable, uniting thought leaders & patient advocates from all corners of the country. Together, we share a powerful mission: to lower the number of people getting colorectal cancer & to reduce deaths from it in the U.S. What began as a personal heartbreak—losing my beloved Aunt to this preventable, beatable, & treatable disease—has transformed into a passionate journey fueled by purpose. This mission is one I embrace wholeheartedly, & I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference on a global scale. Let's keep moving forward together at #NCCRT2024 & beyond! ??

??? Cancer Survivorship: A Journey of Resilience & Recalibration ??? In a world where young people are surviving cancer more than ever before, we must not forget the challenges they face once the treatment ends. Lourdes Monje, at just 25, was struck by an advanced cancer diagnosis that altered the course of their life. But thanks to groundbreaking advances in cancer care, including AI and targeted therapies, Lourdes is part of a new generation of survivors—young, resilient, but still grappling with the emotional, financial, and social complexities of post-treatment life. Survivorship isn’t just about getting through treatment. It’s about rebuilding careers, relationships, and a sense of self. It's about facing the uncertainty of fertility, career disruptions, and the question: What comes next? This is why we must prioritize support for young cancer survivors—offering more than medical care, but also resources for social and emotional healing, career guidance, and long-term planning. Let’s start having those hard conversations earlier, helping survivors navigate the realities of life after cancer, not just the fight itself. Lourdes’ story of cancer survivorship closely aligns with our mission. We are committed to promoting fair access to cancer care, improving cancer education, and advocating for better prevention and treatment options. Lourdes’ experience shows why this work is so important, especially for young cancer survivors. Her journey highlights the need for continued support after treatment ends and the importance of creating a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of all cancer patients. If you’re a survivor, or you’re supporting someone who is, what are the key challenges you’ve faced? Share some of your story in the comments or with a repost of this post. Let’s raise awareness and ensure no one faces this journey alone. Read more about Lourdes Monje’s story here via NPR: https://lnkd.in/gJ9mdP3V #CancerSurvivorship #HealthEquity #LifeAfterCancer #YoungCancerSurvivors #CancerAwareness

We have a new partner resource to share! Last week, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partnered with Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, submitted their newest listening session guidebook on cancer screening in tribal communities. To learn more about how to work with, engage, and adapt cancer screening messaging with and for the American Indian community, visit the resource page: https://lnkd.in/gqMdRrcn

If you have anything “off” with your GI system, TELL YOUR DOCTOR. I know it is scary and embarrassing. I have LITERALLY been there! But do it- and do not let them dismiss you- tell them this story, or Chadwick’s story, or any of the others of young “healthy”’people getting CRC. A scope can save your life. It saved mine.

Another shocking diagnosis. "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek....actor...celebrity....47 years old. Now, colorectal cancer patient. Cancer doesn't follow "the rules". It doesn't care if you're young, athletic, active, handsome, famous, or otherwise healthy. Cancer just doesn't care. That's why we must listen to our bodies and remain highly attuned to even subtle changes. We must undergo routine screening, but also, report any changes and ask for investigation. We must advocate for ourselves! Believe me when I tell you that no one will care more about your survival than you! If you're waiting for your doctor to remember that you missed a routine test or haven't had a physical...just keep on waiting. YOU are the CEO of your health. It's your job to mind your wellness, hit your screening goals, and raise any issues immediately with your doctors. Please familiarize yourself with the risks/signs/symptoms of colorectal cancer and get screened where/when appropriate. FIT test at 50, colonoscopy if appropriate. Know your family history and risk factors. This is a great resource for Canadians: https://lnkd.in/geY5ECiZ With CRC rates among those under 55 jumping rapidly (and mysteriously), please consider supporting the incredible work of Colorectal Cancer Canada: https://lnkd.in/gZm_kAaT I wish James a quick return to good health. As always, my love and support is with all those touched by #cancer.

“When I looked around the cancer?center, all I saw were people at least twice my age,” she says. “There was nobody who was going through the career- or family-planning decisions that I had to make suddenly.” Now, 18 years post-diagnosis at age 47, Phuong Ly-Gallagher is still undergoing treatment and clinical trials at?USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of?Keck Medicine of USC, under the care of oncologist?Heinz Josef Lenz, MD. Here are her tips to other young cancer patients: https://lnkd.in/gcVs7Bbn #cancer #colorectalcancer #survivorship