Advocates lobby for colon cancer legislation at Call-on Congress

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) meets with advocates Carol and Dave Larson

During a historic week on Capitol Hill, advocates from around the country gathered in Washington D.C. for the Colorectal Cancer Coalition‘s annual Call-on Congress, March 15-18, 2010.  Colon cancer patients, survivors, and loved ones of those affected by the disease, met with legislators to discuss measures which would increase access to colon cancer prevention, screening and treatment programs for all Americans, but particularly for those who are under or uninsured. C3 staffers, including President Carlea Bauman, and Director of Policy Catherine Knowles along with colon cancer experts from around the country, worked with advocates to lobby for three specific legislative actions:

1. The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (H.R.1189) This House bill would establish a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer. The program would target screening services toward individuals between 50-64 years of age or those under 50 years old but with high risk of colorectal cancer. The bill also gives priority to low income uninsured and underinsured individuals who would not otherwise have coverage for colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic follow up and/or treatment.*
2. The Colorectal Cancer and Screening Act (H.R.1330) This bill would require all insurance plans, both individual and group, to cover a colonoscopy for anyone age 50 or older.*
3. Funding for Colorectal Cancer Research at the Department of Defense. Advocates requested $50 million in funding for the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) at the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2011. The PRCRP funds research for a number of cancers including colorectal cancer. The program supports high-quality cancer research, concentrating its resources on research mechanisms which complement rather than duplicate the research approaches of the major funders of medical research in the United States.*

Minnesota advocates (from left) Brenda Elshagher, Mandy Nelson, Malia Frey, Dave Larson, Carol Larson

Representatives from Minnesota included Carol and Dave Larson, Mandy Nelson, Brenda Elsagher, and Malia Frey, Promotion Director and Lead Writer for the Colon Cancer Coalition. Also at the Call-on Congress were Michel, LaRisha and Marsha Baker who are helping to coordinate the inaugural Portland Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk race in Oregon, and San Francisco residents Barbara Cappel and Ayde Vogel who help organize the San Francisco Strides for Life /Get Your Rear in Gear 4 Miler in honor of Dylan Cappel.

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• More information on Colorectal Cancer Coalition Call on Congress
• More information on Colon Cancer Coalition Get Your Rear in Gear events

*Source: Colorectal Cancer Coalition