Colorectal Cancer Alliance

No matter your genetic history, doctors recommend EVERYONE 45 and older get screened. Thanks for reminding us, @katiecouric.

New treatment options and updated guidelines are improving colorectal cancer outcomes. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD (@GIcancerdoc) offers guidance on therapeutic sequencing strategies in this #MedEd activity, in collaboration with @PeerView. Access this activity before it's gone 👉 bit.ly/4iAE6P6

"In June 2024, at age 66, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer after my first colonoscopy. It was the beginning of one of the most challenging times in my life. By August 2024, I learned I had stage III colorectal cancer. I began 25 radiation treatments to shrink the tumor in my upper rectum, followed by four months of chemotherapy. The treatments were very hard on my body and caused significant sickness and fatigue. In April 2025, I underwent a six-hour surgery to remove the tumor and received a temporary ileostomy. Adjusting to life with an ostomy for four months was challenging and limited how long I could be away from home while I recovered. Throughout this time, I continued caring for my elderly mother, who is living with advanced dementia — something I had been doing even before my diagnosis. Balancing caregiving and my own health needs was overwhelming at times. In late August 2025, I had another surgery to reverse the ileostomy and reconnect my small intestine to my colon. Since then, I’ve been adjusting to a new normal, including changes to my diet and daily routines. Today, I am without evidence of disease. I’m incredibly grateful for my close family, my faith, and my dedicated medical team who supported me along this path. There is so much more I could share, but I hope my story offers hope, compassion, and encouragement to others facing colorectal cancer." - Scott M. Every gift you give today goes twice as far — gifts are matched 2X up to $15,000 through April 7. Right now, patients and families facing colorectal cancer need support, answers, and hope. Your generosity helps provide critical patient support and fuels life-saving research. Give today and make twice the impact when it matters most 👉 bit.ly/26-MarchMatch-X

@LeadFromBehind's Katie Couric's Ready For Her Close-Up has been nominated for TWO Webby Awards! We need your help to take home the win 🙌 #webbys @TheWebbyAwards

As National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ends, the mission to end this disease only intensifies. We’re pleased to announce that an anonymous donor has agreed to double your donation — that means now is the best time to give. But that’s not the only reason. Colorectal cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death in people under 50 and the second deadliest cancer overall. It’s the only major cancer rising in younger adults, and 75% of young patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when survival drops to just 13%. That’s unacceptable, but you can drive change. The CRC community needs your support today. Your donation to the Alliance supports Project Cure CRC, which is accelerating research, lowering barriers to innovation, and connecting patients to cutting-edge science. The Alliance has had Enough of this disease, and we need your partnership to end it. Will you help drive cures forward? Every gift is matched 2X up to $15,000 through April 7. Your support today enables the science patients urgently need 👉 bit.ly/26-MarchMatch-X

Colorectal cancer doesn’t discriminate — it’s not “an old man’s disease.” It’s now the leading cause of cancer death for adults under 50 in the U.S. Despite this, colorectal cancer remains critically underfunded. We need your help to change that. Support life-saving research and vital patient support today 👉 bit.ly/26-March-Donate

"In December 2022, I was 39 years old and by all accounts healthy. I rarely had to go see a doctor, had no serious illnesses, and took no medications. Around this time though, I started having rectal bleeding. While I was concerned, I was told it was unlikely to be anything serious since I was "young." Luckily, my PCP was still supportive in my desire to get a colonoscopy. I had no history of colorectal cancer in my family, however, I was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer in January 2023. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. I completed 8 cycles of chemo, and thankfully I responded well enough that they felt I did not need to have radiation. I had surgery in July 2023 to have the tumor removed and to have a temporary ileostomy placed. This is where most of my difficulties began. I had a postoperative hemorrhage and was rushed back in for emergency surgery. After recovering from those surgeries, I was discharged once and was almost immediately re-admitted due to a blockage from ileus, then developed an infection which delayed my second discharge even further. Thankfully, my margins were clear and I had my ileostomy reversed a few months later. While I struggled with getting used to how my body worked following what I went through, I’m incredibly grateful to be alive and have had no signs of metastasis since. Cancer is a journey I wouldn’t wish on anybody, but I’ve learned a lot about myself along the way and appreciate life in a way that I didn’t previously. If I had to give advice to anyone going through this now, it would be to advocate for yourself and your health and lean on your support system when you need to." - Brian M. Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer in people under 50 and the second deadliest overall. Enough. Turn your generosity into action by helping to fund innovative research and patient support 👉 bit.ly/26-March-Donate

When Dallas-based artist Reuben Cheatem was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer at 41, everything changed. His body, his days, his future. But through the highs and crushing lows of treatment, he kept creating. The result? Powerful pieces of art — and now, a limited-edition T-shirt. The shirt features "Curl Up and Dance," a diptych from Reuben’s exhibition H.E.A.L.E.D. The art captures the vicissitudes of cancer: promise and pain, energy and collapse, sometimes just minutes apart. This exclusive T-shirt will only be printed once. "Live Like Reuben" isn't just a phrase on a shirt. It's a call to action. It’s about speaking your truth. This March, during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Alliance has declared: Enough. Every time you wear this shirt, you can help sound the alarm: Treatment innovation and patient care haven't kept pace with this disease's impact. By supporting the Alliance and Project Cure CRC, you can change the future. Get your limited edition LIVE LIKE REUBEN shirt 👉 bit.ly/LIVE-LIKE-REUB…

Colorectal cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50 yet one of the least funded cancers. Why? We've had #EnoughCRC. Make a gift to support life-saving colorectal cancer research and patient support 👉 bit.ly/26-March-Donate

Colorectal cancer is the #1 cancer killer in adults under 50, yet it's one of the least funded. Enough. Albe should still be here. Make a gift to support life-saving research and patient support 👉 bit.ly/26-March-Donate

Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer in people under 50 and the second deadliest overall. This March, it’s time to say “Enough” and demand innovation that meets the scale of this disease. Turn your generosity into action by helping to fund innovative research and patient support 👉 bit.ly/26-March-Donate We've had #EnoughCRC.

Thank you to everyone who laced up and showed up for ScopeItOut this year! We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The sense of community and determination was powerful. Every mile walked brought us closer to a future free from colorectal cancer. Because of you, we’re advancing research, expanding access to screening, and standing beside patients, caregivers, and survivors when they need it most. Let’s build on this momentum. Make an additional pledge today and help us continue moving this mission forward 👉 bit.ly/SIO26-donate-x Thank you to our ScopeItOut sponsors, @HopkinsMedicine, @Merck, and @RueschCenter.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for #DCScopeItOut! Let us know who you were walking for today in the comments 👇 There's still time to donate to support colorectal cancer research and patient support. Visit bit.ly/SIO26.

"At 39, I went to the doctor because I was experiencing rectal bleeding, and my doctor initially didn’t want to order a colonoscopy. I had to push for it, and that decision saved my life. The test revealed stage III colon cancer, and later, genetic testing showed I have Lynch syndrome, a condition that increases cancer risk. This is why it’s so important to be more than a patient, be a collaborator with your doctor. If something feels wrong, speak up. Ask questions. Push for answers. You know your body better than anyone else, and your voice matters in every exam room. Early detection saves lives, including mine." - Jon V. Today is Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that greatly increases a person’s risk for developing colorectal cancer. It is the most common inherited form of colorectal cancer. Learn more about Lynch Syndrome 👉 bit.ly/Lynch-Syndrome #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay

Never ignore symptoms even if they may seem minor. Dr. Izaddoost noticed some symptoms and immediately told her doctor... She had a colorectal cancer diagnosis a week later. She is now two years cancer-free! 👏 March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. If you've noticed any new or strange symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Learn more about your screening options and take a short quiz at getscreened.org. 🎥 @childrenshospsa

Marjorie Callahan was 35 years old when a routine colonoscopy revealed colorectal cancer. A married real estate agent and mother of two young children, Marjorie has lived with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease since 2011 and has a family history of colorectal cancer through her grandfather. Despite years of frequent colonoscopies, she was never clearly told that chronic inflammation from Crohn’s disease significantly increases colorectal cancer risk. After a two year gap in screening due to pregnancy and the birth of her daughter in early 2024, Marjorie’s end of year colonoscopy revealed a large tumor that pathology confirmed as cancer arising from long-standing inflammation. What followed were weeks of appointments and multiple opinions, including discussions of life-altering surgery. Seeking every option, Marjorie pursued care at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where a multidisciplinary team developed a treatment plan that allowed her to avoid permanent ostomy surgery. Now, following treatment, Marjorie’s post-treatment scans and colonoscopy have come back clear. She is sharing her story to raise awareness about young-onset colorectal cancer, the risks facing people with inflammatory bowel disease, and the importance of timely, informed screening so others do not face a diagnosis they never knew they were at risk for. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Make a gift today to fund patient support & life saving colorectal cancer research 👉 bit.ly/26March-Donate

"I'm fortunate. Screening caught my colon cancer early — at stage I, when it’s most treatable. But during hospital visits, I looked around and noticed other patients with much harder roads ahead. I knew I had to do something. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Awareness matters — it saves lives like mine. But we also need to support patients, and science needs fuel to develop treatments that give them hope. My dad pushed me to get screened for years before I listened. He saved my life. Full of gratitude, I kept thinking about the other patients I'd seen. I knew how much a story of survival, or just knowing someone is out there working for you, can mean when you're in the dark. So, as a homebrewer myself, I partnered with a local brewery to create a craft beer with proceeds benefiting the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. People drove an hour just to be part of it. A few told me they'd go get a colonoscopy. That alone made it worth it. Getting started with your own fundraiser is easy, and the impact is real. Whatever it looks like, what matters is the hope it creates. Starting a fundraiser shifts the negative experience of colorectal cancer into a positive. It turns a challenging path of diagnosis and recovery into something hopeful. Every dollar, every donor, every person who shows up is proof that patients are not in this alone. And that really matters." - David D. Start your fundraiser 👉 bit.ly/CoastToCoast-F…

"In August 2024, I was diagnosed with stage IIIB rectal cancer. I had some minor symptoms and my doctor suggested a colonoscopy. That colonoscopy changed my life. And saved it, too. After my diagnosis, everything was a blur. It was a rush of scans, tests and appointments. As my treatment started, I had to take a step back from my career to focus solely on my cancer journey. I underwent 28 rounds of radiation while taking chemo medication. I was given a month to recover, then I had a 6.5-hour surgery during which they removed 16.5 inches of colon and 23 lymph nodes. I was placed with an Ileostomy bag to divert my colon and give it time to heal. Then I had another surgery to remove the Ileostomy and reconnect my colon. Also, during that time, I had a port inserted and began a course of 8 rounds of chemotherapy which lasted 8 months. After a 14-month long battle, our prayers were answered. On October 21, 2025 I was declared NED - no evidence of disease! I joyfully rang the end-of-cancer-treatment bell with my honey next to my side — where he has been since the beginning. This journey has been the hardest and scariest experience of my life but it’s also been the most miraculous — I discovered that I’m stronger than I ever imagined and I learned to live each day full of gratitude. I’m grateful for a deeper spiritual connection that guided me; for my body that kept healing when I consistently knocked it down; for my family and friends who prayed for me and supported me even when far away; for my neighbors who stepped in to help; for my honey who cried with me, took care of me and kept encouraging me during my darkest days; and for my sweet dog and constant companion through everything. I have a lot of healing yet to do and won’t be declared “cured” until 5 years have passed with consistently negative tests/scans. But regardless of what happens I’m now a different person, a changed soul and a survivor. Get your colonoscopy. It could save your life, too." - Marianne S. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Make a gift today to fund patient support & life saving colorectal cancer research at the link in our bio.

What’s being missed when colorectal cancer spreads to the liver? Too often, patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are not evaluated by a surgeon. Liver-directed treatment or surgery could be options. But without a surgeon’s input, those options may not be explored. That’s why the Alliance is shining a light on more treatment options in CRLM care, in collaboration with @bostonsci. Seeing a surgeon may help you see what’s possible. Have questions about your options? Our Cancer Care Team is here to help. Call our free helpline at 877-422-2030.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Turn your generosity into action by helping to fund innovative research and patient support 👉 bit.ly/26March-Donate