Anda di halaman 1dari 8

C3:Momentum

LEGISLATIVE BEAT

4, ISSUE 4
VOLUME 3, 3 Winning the fight better
Moving towards against colorectal
care cancer
and a cure SPRING 2008
SUMMER 2009

Do Your Phone Calls to Congress Make a Difference?


By Carlene Canton
Pick Up the Phone! On March 31, C3’s annual Butt-in
Join C3 for Butt-in Day phone campaign will once again
On March 31, join forces with blanket Congressional offices with
phone calls urging elected officials to
866-615-3375
advocates, cancer patients, and MAR. 31, 2009

friends across the country to make increase funding to fight colorectal


sure Congress hears loud and clear cancer.
that voters expect them to take
Phone campaigns are tried and true
a stand and help fight colorectal elected officials to sponsor legislation
cancer. political action tools—but do they
really work? helping colorectal cancer patients.
On this single day, we “Butt-in” to Tina had been diagnosed with stage
Congress’ regular business with a People organizing the events know IV colorectal cancer in 2004. Sadly,
flood of phone calls. Last year, C3’s they do, which is why they spend their last year’s Butt-in phone campaign
Butt-in campaign generated nearly time encouraging you to spend your would be her last. Tina passed away in
2,000 phone calls. This year we can time making those calls.
do even more -- if you help. December 2008 at the age of 45.
We make it simple: Call 866-615- For C3’s Director of Policy Joe But Tina’s last battle brought a
3375, enter your zip code at the Arite, who heads up both the Call-on remarkable victory. Thanks largely to
prompt, and you’ll be directly Congress personal visit blitz and the Tina’s efforts, Rep. Zack Space
connected to the offices of your Butt-in phone event, the answer is (D-OH) received 87 phone calls urging
senators and representative. simple. him to support the Colorectal Cancer
Once connected, simply give your “Each voting American can and should
name and say that you want the continued on page 6
make their voice heard,” he said. “How
senator or representative to support
the Colorectal Cancer Prevention,
Early Detection, and Treatment Act.
else will legislators know how their
constituents—especially those who IN THIS ISSUE
can’t come to Washington—feel about
The more phone calls
each office receives an issue?” FROM THE
on this day, the more But what do organized phone-in events PRESIDENT’S DESK.........................2
attention to the cause. mean to members of Congress, and
Invite your friends and
especially their staffers who actually RESOURCES
families across the country
to make calls, too. For pick up the phone? Has a phone What C3 Has to Offer......................3
more information, check campaign ever changed a legislator’s
out the C3 website at mind – or vote?
POLICY
www.CoverYourButt.org C3 advocate Tracy Patrick knows 2009: Year of the Screening Bill...4
The Butt-in phone first hand that the answer to that last
campaign runs from 9 question is a resounding “yes!”
am to 5:30 pm EDT on ADVOCACY
March 31. Join us. Tracy and her sister Tina Kiser worked Meet an Advocate in Action.........5
tirelessly last March to convince their

1414 Prince Street, Suite 204, Alexandria, VA 22314


(703) 548-1225 • www.FightColorectalCancer.org
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Board of Directors
Nancy Roach, Board Chair Colorectal Cancer
Alan Balch, Ph.D, Vice Chair Awareness Month:
Greg Crafts, Treasurer
Personal Passion in Action
Robert Erwin, Board Secretary
By Carlea Bauman
Carlea Bauman, President President
Steven Depp, Ph.D.
We all know that March is Colorectal see it on page 7, where Ben Basloe,
Andrew Giusti, Ph.D. Cancer Awareness Month. Did you also C3’s new chief fundraiser, actually gets
know that March is National Caffeine excited about asking people for money,
Medical Review Network Awareness Month? And National all so that C3 can continue working
Nancy Baxter, MD, FRCSC Noodle Month? I’m not making this up. towards its goals.
University of Toronto
Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP National awareness months are a great At C3, we see Colorectal Cancer
Northwestern University way to start a conversation about a Awareness Month as a reason to
Richard Goldberg, MD particular need: Apparently, some of celebrate. Can you imagine ten years
University of North Carolina us need to be made more aware of ago, cancer patients walking up the
Axel Grothey, MD the benefits of noodles. But I think steps of the U.S. Capitol with the
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine that national awareness months can words “Cover Your Butt” on their
Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, FACP result in change when T-shirts? Or even having
University of Southern California passionate advocates National Awareness a conversation with an
John Marshall, MD use the month to focus elected official about
Georgetown University Medical Center on changing their world. months can result colonoscopies?
Howard McLeod, PharmD And that’s what this issue in change when
University of North Carolina is all about: personal Colorectal cancer
passionate advocates patients are no longer
Neal Meropol, MD passion.
Fox Chase Cancer Center focus on changing hiding in the shadows,
Edith Mitchell, MD
On page 1, get inspired their world. ashamed to call their
Thomas Jefferson University by sisters Tracy Patrick disease by name.
Daniel Sargent, PhD
and Tina Kiser and their They are fighting
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine personal passion to convince their back against the disease, and against
Joel Tepper, MD
legislators to change their minds societal pressures to keep quiet about
University of North Carolina and act on behalf of other colorectal the very thing that threatens their
Medical Beat On the Hill
cancer patients. lives and livelihoods. In fact, they
are so passionate about the issue
On page 5, you’ll read about Marilia that thousands of them are willing
DON’T FORGET Sardinha, C3’s new Grassroots Action to literally wear their cause on their
CALENDAR Dusty’s Recipe for
Committee Vice-Chair, and her sleeves, and contact their legislators so
Get Your Rear In Gear Action
5K Run personal passion, which she found that laws may change. Despite the fact
Raleigh - March 7 when she stood on the edge of death
Central TX - March 15 that we’ve lost so many loved ones and
Philadelphia - March 22 and fought her way back. You’ll even will continue to do so until screening is
www.getyourrearingear.com widespread and a cure is found, there
C3 Call-on Congress is much progress to celebrate this
Washington, DC March. I hope you will join us.
March 22-25
www.FightColorectalCancer.org
Also, I hope you’ll join us in the
C3 Congressional Butt-in Congressional Butt-in on March 31st
866-615-3375
March 31 (see story on page 1) and use your own
www.CoverYourButt.org personal passion to get your friends,
Prevent Cancer’s Dialogue for Action in family, neighbors and co-workers to
Colorectal Cancer Screening Conference call in that day. You just might surprise
Baltimore, MD yourself with how good it makes you
April 2
www.preventcancer.org feel.

2 www.FightColorectalCancer.org
RESOURCES
LEGISLATIVE BEAT

C3 Resources: Communication a Top Priority


Communication is key to relationships.
Your relationship with C3 is no
exception.
“We have some of the best resources
and most up-to-date information in the
field, and we want to make it easy for
you to access it,’’ says Carlea Bauman,
president of C3.
That’s why C3 offers multiple
avenues of communicating. We focus
on resources that aren’t available
elsewhere for those affected by
colorectal cancer. Visit www.FightColorectalCancer.org to find these resources and more.
Here is an overview of what’s available
accurately summarize news related to
at C3. If you don’t find what you’re an email from the website. (Under
colorectal cancer.
looking for, call the C3 Answer Line the Awareness heading, click on
(877-4CRC-111). C3 Answer Line.) An Answer Line The Research section of C3’s
Associate will answer your questions website is a timely and reliable
on the spot or do some research and resource. C3’s own Kate Murphy is
Patients and Survivors get back to you. a 26-year colorectal cancer survivor
and a long-time patient advocate. She
If you’re coping with colorectal cancer,
files stories under Research and
your desire for information is probably
Family and Friends Treatment News about clinical trials,
matched only by your need for facts
research findings, FDA warnings, and
that are meaningful, up-to-date, and not An informed circle of family and
other news. Readers can comment or
overwhelming. friends can help patients coping with
pose questions on each article. Every
colorectal cancer.
On the C3 website, the Patient Friday, the “News in Brief” adds short
Information section provides facts The Awareness & Education reviews of other research and news
in layers (under the Awareness & section on C3’s website has a wealth with links for more details.
Education heading). Click and read of advice about helping people help
The C3 website features an interactive
as much as you want and come back you. There’s information specifically
blog with Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz,
for more when you’re ready. You’ll for family or friends who must care for
Chair of the Gastrointestinal Oncology
find up-to-date, medically reviewed themselves to be able to care for their
Program at the University of Southern
information on diagnosis and loved ones. The website also offers
California and a member of C3’s
treatment; tips for living with colorectal links to other reliable resources.
Medical Review Network. (See From
cancer; ideas for coping emotionally;
Anyone in the extended circle of family, the Desk of Dr. Lenz under Awareness
and ways to deal with the financial
friends, or advocates helping a loved & Education.) He answers questions
stresses that accompany cancer.
one through colorectal cancer can call sent by readers, and writes often
The free 80-page booklet “Frankly the C3 Answer Line for help getting about how to get the best quality care
Speaking About Colorectal information or connections. (e.g., how to evaluate a surgeon who
Cancer” is available by calling might perform your colorectal cancer
the C3 Answer Line (877-4CRC- surgery).
111) or ordering online at www. Patients and Practitioners Managing
Sign up to receive their posts via email
FightColorectalCancer.org/ Ongoing Disease
or RSS at www.FightColorectalCancer.
FranklySpeaking.
Treatments for colorectal cancer are org/subscribe. You can also follow
For questions about your specific evolving, so prompt and accurate C3 on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/
situation, call the C3 Answer dissemination of research is crucial. FightCRC.
Line (877-4CRC-111), or send You can rely on C3 to monitor and continued on page 6
C3 Momentum Spring 2009 3
POLICY & ADVOCACY

Let’s Make 2009 The Year of the Screening Bill


By Joe Arite

A new era in
government is
here. Our goal of
eliminating barriers
to colorectal cancer
screening may finally
become a reality.
Representatives
Kay Granger (R-TX) and Patrick
Kennedy (D-RI) have reintroduced the
Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early
Detection, and Treatment Act and are
calling on C3 to mobilize the troops.
That is exactly what we are doing if everyone aged 50 and older were recruit more than 160 Members of
with our Call-on Congress and our screened regularly, according to CDC Congress to support this bill. While
Congressional Butt-in phone campaign estimates. 1 160 co-sponsors should have been
this month. Not only will this proposed program enough to get the bill passed, Congress
save lives, but it will save dollars, ran out of time. We have high hopes
What the bill will do: too. A preliminary report issued by that this year will be different and we
This bill will establish a program The Lewin Group, in collaboration will see the legislation come to fruition
at the Centers for Disease Control with the National Colorectal Cancer in the 111th Congress.
and Prevention (CDC) to provide Roundtable, looked at how increased But we still need your help to make
colorectal cancer screenings and colorectal cancer screening among that happen! Members of Congress
treatment for low-income, uninsured, pre-Medicare eligible individuals listen carefully to one voice: The
and underinsured individuals who are (aged 50-64 years) could translate into voters. That means you and your
not yet eligible for Medicare savings. family, friends, neighbors, and co-
Medicare. Savings occur when workers. We must all get on the
With this bill, the Medicare
The program is colorectal cancer phones, or get in those offices and
program could translate to is caught early and make sure each Member of Congress
similar to the National
Breast and Cervical an eleven year savings of treatment costs are realizes the importance of this
Cancer Prevention, low. For patients legislation.
$7 to $21 billion, simply by with metastatic
Early Detection, and
Treatment Program
diagnosing people earlier colorectal cancer, For more information on how to
just two months participate in C3’s Butt-in phone
that has been in through screening.
of treatment cost campaign on March 31, see the cover
place for more than a
between $20,000 and story and Page 8 of this issue of
decade. This program
$30,000. Earlier detection saves both Momentum.
has saved the lives of millions of
American women by detecting breast lives and dollars. 2
For more information about
and cervical cancers and following up The report predicts that savings to this legislation, check www.
the diagnosis with treatment. It’s time Medicare will begin in the second FightColorectalCancer.org/
to do the same for colorectal cancer. year of the program, and could crcscreeningbill.
Despite the passage of the Balanced translate into an eleven year savings
Budget Act (BBA) of 1997, which of $7 to $21 billion. 1
The Centers for Disease Control and
authorized coverage for colorectal So why is the Colorectal Cancer Prevention (CDC). Underuse of Screening.
cancer screenings for Medicare Prevention, Early Detection, and Website: www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/
recipients, too many people still Treatment Act being “reintroduced”? statistics/screening_rates.htm
don’t get screened. Yet as many as 60 Last year, during the 110th Congress, 2
Schrag D. The price tag on progress—
percent of deaths could be prevented C3 and our advocates were able to chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. N Engl J
Med. 2004;22;351(4):317-19

4 www.FightColorectalCancer.org
POLICY & ADVOCACY

Advocates in Action:
Introducing An Inspirational Marilia Sardinha
Meet Marilia Sardinha, a 41-year-old failure. Trying to save my life, the
single mom, born in Portugal and doctors put me into an induced coma.
now living in a small town in central I went to sleep in January thinking
Maine. She’s a cancer survivor and I had appendicitis, and woke up in
an amazing advocate. As the new February with cancer and only one leg.
vice-chair of C3’s Grassroots Action
Committee, she’ll be writing regularly Worst of all, my 12-year-old son saw
for Momentum. Marilia’s story and me leave for the hospital one night,
advocacy efforts boggle my mind. But and was told I’d be home the next day.
she should tell her own story... That day turned into a month. He saw
me for a few moments during that
--Joe Arite, Director of Policy
month, but I don’t remember. My baby
In January 2004, I started a wrenching boy. My heart. My joy. My life. Marilia’s son (left) is her inspiration.
physical and emotional journey.
I survived thanks to a surgeon who 16-year-old son, and I’m engaged to be
Despite having no family history of
fought hard to save my life, and my married.
colon cancer, I found myself with stage
“mother’s will” to not leave my child.
IIIb colon cancer at age 36. I believe my life purpose is to use
But I had changed from an active, self-
employed single mom to a 90-pound these experiences to support and lift
I had known something was wrong.
person too weak to walk. I was even and maybe even save someone else.
For 16 months before my diagnosis,
too weak to start chemotherapy for Since my treatment ended, I started
I had abdominal cramping and pain.
several months. an amputee support group; became
Despite repeated doctor appointments,
a certified peer counselor for new
with diagnoses and treatment for
In 2005, I finished cancer treatment amputees; and have supported newly
both anemia and an ulcer, my pain
and my life began to look up. But in diagnosed colorectal cancer patients in
got worse. Finally, just days before
early 2006, tests showed that I had new Maine. I testified in support of a Maine
a scheduled colonoscopy, my pain
tumors in my abdomen. Chemotherapy law requiring insurance coverage for
became unbearable. Doctors in
helped, but one tumor kept growing. colorectal cancer screening, which
the emergency room decided I had
My best friend, an incredibly smart and passed and has just taken effect.
appendicitis and needed surgery.
persistent advocate, found out about
Instead of appendicitis, the surgeon In March 2007, I became involved
Cyberknife—robotic radiosurgery used
found a three-centimeter tumor in my with C3 through the Call-on Congress.
for certain cancers. She finally found
colon, plus cancer in two of 27 lymph For the first time, I met colorectal
an Oklahoma surgeon
nodes. cancer patients and survivors my age.
who was willing to try
That was just the first
I urge you to become a it on my type of tumor.
I never imagined that I would be in
Washington DC, sharing my story with
step in my journey. To C3 advocate—not just Against my physicians’
Congress, but the other advocates
this day, I still have in March but through advice and despite
inspired me with their strength and
few memories of the refusal of insurance
the year. Respond to passion. Today, I meet regularly with
following month. coverage, the procedure
my elected officials and help new
Right after surgery, I
action alerts. Spread the successfully eliminated advocates understand how to raise
the tumor. However,
developed a serious word. Together, we are another small tumor
their voices effectively.
infection throughout tremendously powerful. appeared two months I urge you to become a C3 advocate—
my body and multiple later, so I did another 9 not just in March but throughout
blood clots. I was rushed to another months of FOLFIRI treatment. the year. Respond to action alerts.
hospital, but the damage was already Spread the word. Together, we are
done. My right leg was amputated Since then, three scans have shown tremendously powerful.
below the knee. I also needed an aortic no evidence of cancer. I celebrated my
stent and an ileostomy. At that point, I 40th birthday—a day I wasn’t supposed I have HOPE…and I am sharing it with
was critically ill with acute respiratory to see. I am raising a wonderful, caring you. Join me!

C3 Momentum Spring 2009 5


ACTION

Do Your Phone Calls to Congress Make a Difference?


continued from page 1

Prevention, Early Detection, and


Treatment Act. Tina reported to her issue, they will do their own research.
sister that by the end of the day, office
And yes, staffers agreed, the sheer
staffers were jokingly begging her “not
volume of calls may actually cause the
to mention the words ‘Cover Your Butt’
staff (and ultimately the representative
to them ever again.” More importantly,
or senator) to re-evaluate the facts and
she won Rep. Space’s support. After
their position.
the Butt-in phone campaign, he signed
on as a co-sponsor of the legislation. That means anything can happen. Tina
Even better, he was assigned to the will be forever remembered for her
committee that will oversee the new advocacy and work in raising public
bill in the 111th Congress. awareness of colorectal cancer.
Tracy remembers that victorious Butt- Tina Kiser’s “Call-on” Rep. Space (D-OH)
in day “like it was yesterday.” Tracy Patrick is determined to
made the difference before her death
in 2008. continue her sister’s work, bringing
“Tina was so happy that her efforts
public attention to colorectal cancer,
made Ohio one of the top states for they’re likely to at least be curious instead of it being “a cancer that no
generating phone calls. She was so about what issue is causing people to one talks about.” In fact, she plans to
proud of her work and the support feel so strongly,” Tracy said. return to the 2009 C3 Call-on Congress
that she was given. She also took
That’s true, according to other in Washington, DC, March 22nd-25th.
great pride in knowing that she had
congressional staffers we polled
influenced Zack Space to make a Join the cause to get people talking –
about how phone-call campaigns
positive choice.’’ and listening. Now that you know the
affect their positions and policy-
Tina successfully accomplished the making. Constituent phone calls can difference that your call can make,
bottom-line goal of a phone campaign: be persuasive and can influence a circle March 31 on your calendar and
Calling attention to an issue and staff person’s position. One piece of make a few calls that day. You can
getting someone with influence to practical advice: Short messages work make a difference.
listen. “If 87 phone calls come in, best. If staffers decide to pursue the

C3 Resources: Communication a Top Priority


continued from page 3

Political and Policy Advocates C3 Policy Director Joe Arite posts to ensure that every American
legislative and policy news stories receives screening. Find the facts plus
Both governmental and medical
regularly on C3 Policy & Advocacy action links at C3’s special website
leaders recognize C3 as one of the most
News, and responds to questions www.CoverYourButt.org.
reliable, accurate, and effective voices
posted by readers at the website. Sign
in national and local efforts to fight These are just some of C3’s resources.
up at www.FightColorectalCancer.org/
colorectal cancer. Check out the continually updated
subscribe.
website. Sign up for email updates at
The C3 website’s Policy section is a
C3’s Action Center (under Policy www.FightColorectalCancer.org/
rich source of practical advocacy tools
at the C3 website) helps you make an subscribe. And you can always call the
(see the Advocate’s Toolkit); a review
immediate impact. Today’s top issues C3 Answer Line with any question.
of how government funds colorectal
pop up, complete with a factual email
cancer research and how the political
you can send automatically to your
machine works; and fact-filled position
government representatives just by
papers on current legislation (at
adding your name and zip code. Check
Where We Stand). For inspiration, read
it out at http://advocacy.fightcrc.org.
profiles of advocates in action all over
the nation (see Advocates at Work). Cover Your Butt is C3’s campaign
1-877-4CRC-111

6 www.FightColorectalCancer.org
C3 FUNDRAISING

Development Director Ben Basloe Joins C3 Staff


by Carlene Canton

As C3’s new and first Director of Devel-


opment, Ben Basloe’s job is to reach out
to foundations, corporations and indi-
vidual donors so that C3 can continue
its efforts to end colorectal cancer.
It’s a challenge he embraces whole-
heartedly with passion and enthusiasm.
But he is also something of a realist.
He understands that these are tough
times for fundraising of all kinds.
Thanks to the current shrinking econo-
my, nonprofit organizations across the
country are stuck between the prover- Ben Basloe is C3’s first Director of Development.
bial rock and the non-too-comfortable
hard place. At the same time that foun- porations and foundations – new and -- the largest individual fundraiser for
dation grants become more precious old,” he said. “One of the first steps is the year.
and precarious than ever, corporations to make sure that our message and our
and individuals tend to take a step or mission are out there loud and clear. He was hooked. He decided fundrais-
two back as well. In tighter economic times it’s essential ing was his career choice as well as a
that donors have crystal-clear under- personal mission. He worked four years
One solution, he says, is to go back to standing about who they are donating with the American Diabetes
the roots: grassroots. The concept that to, where the money goes, and what it Association and two years as a consul-
smaller donations spread across larger will accomplish.” tant to nonprofits, a role he mastered
numbers of donors can make a differ-
while staying at home and sharing the
ence is back in style. Like many people connected to C3,
care of his newborn son, Aidan, with his
Ben’s path to his new post has both
“In these difficult economic times, wife Mary.
personal as well as professional origins.
corporations are cutting back on their
His journey began with the desire to
charitable giving and foundations find Now Aidan is ready for preschool and
do something with his life that would
themselves with less money to fund Ben is ready to devote his time, experi-
honor his father who died of cancer in
their efforts,” he said. “For organiza- ence, and passion to C3.
September 1998.
tions trying to reach a specific revenue
goal, it means they need to look to indi- Ben may be a realist but he’s a realist
vidual giving and fundraising efforts to In tighter economic times it’s who can dream. And for inspiration he
supplement other sources of funding.” essential that donors have crystal- looks to the 2008 presidential campaign
where grassroots funding had a stun-
C3 is fortunate that it has developed a clear understanding about who
reputation as an effective and efficiently ning impact.
they are donating to, where the
run organization and has always had “a
strong tradition of respecting, encour- money goes, and what it will “Both candidates showed the value of
aging and appreciating grassroots fund- engaging their supporters and getting
accomplish. large numbers of donors to contribute
ing efforts and events,” he said. “That
reputation serves us well whether we’re smaller amounts of money resulting
looking for funds from individuals, cor- He participated in an annual walk in millions of dollars raised,” he said.
porations or foundations.” fundraiser for a cancer organization “Just imagine the difference that could
where he appealed to friends and fam- be made if that amount of money was
“I have every intention of continuing ily as well as hosted a golf tournament raised for a nonprofit organization like
and expanding our relationships with with the help of his employer. He raised C3 and used to win the fight against
grassroots donors as well as with cor- more than $10,000 for that local chapter colorectal cancer.”

C3 Momentum Spring 2009 7


NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
STAMFORD, CT
1414 Prince Street PERMIT NO. 102
Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314

Register to receive future


issues of Momentum at
www.FightColorectalCancer.org

To make corrections to your contact


information or to remove your name from
the mailing list, please email
info@FightColorectalCancer.org or
call (703) 548-1225.

On Tuesday, March 31st call 866-615-3375.


Mark the date on your calendar! Tell your friends!
When you reach the offices of your elected
officials, simply say, “I urge my Senator/
Representative to support the Colorectal
Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and
Treatment Act.”
You only have to make one call. You will

866-615-3375 MAR. 31, 2009


be prompted to enter your zip code, and
be directly connected to the offices of your
Members of Congress (your two senators
and representative).
Your efforts could help create a National
Who: You! Colorectal Cancer Screening Program—
so urge your friends and family to join in!
What: The C3 Congressional Butt-in
For a detailed phone script,
When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 log on to www.CoverYourButt.org.
Have a mobile phone? Text BUTTIN to 30644 now and
Where: By Telephone we’ll message a reminder right to your phone on butt-in day.

How: Call 866-615-3375 to get A campaign of C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition.


Made possible thanks to charitable grants from
connected to Congress
8 www.FightColorectalCancer.org

Anda mungkin juga menyukai