The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is a nation of allies. We’re the largest and most impactful colorectal cancer nonprofit because of the dedicated and passionate people who invest time, money, and spirit into our work. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's support of the mission to end colorectal cancer.

But what does that support look like?  

In no particular order, here are several of the top moments our nation of allies made possible in 2022:

Launched an awareness initiative with Ryan Reynolds.

The Alliance, with partners including Brooks Bell and Maximum Effort, launched LEAD FROM BEHIND, a new initiative to make colon cancer known as “The Preventable Cancer.” To kick off the initiative, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney shared a video documenting their first colonoscopies. Both procedures found polyps, highlighting the importance of getting checked.

Delivered thousands of screening recommendations.

The Alliance’s screening quiz, available at quiz.getscreened.org, provides users with a free screening recommendation based on their individual risk factors. Backed up by a social media advertising campaign, the quiz has delivered thousands of recommendations through 2022. People at high risk are connected with our certified patient and family support navigators.

Partnered with leading Black influencers.

The Alliance sounded the alarm about colorectal cancer’s heightened effects on the Black community by enlisting the support of the country's foremost culture and influencer marketing agency, Team Epiphany. The result was #TheyDidntSay, an awareness and education campaign with celebrities including Charlamagne tha God and Mel D. Cole.

Led a clinical trial think tank.

The think tank seeks to develop patient-centered, systems-level solutions for improving trials and increasing research participation broadly. Marginalized patients, who are frequently underrepresented in clinical research and often face disproportionate burdens of disease, are a key focus. The think tank met in November and a report will be published in January.

Encouraged allies to #WalkLoud.

In 2022, the Walk to End Colon Cancer fully returned to in-person events and launched a new brand, #WalkLoud. Appearing for the first time in several cities — including Seattle; Charleston, South Carolina; and Lexington, Kentucky — the Walk encouraged the public and people affected by colorectal cancer to stop the silence, reject the stigma, and cancel the killer.

Welcomed patients and caregivers to AllyCon.

AllyCon, the Alliance’s national support conference, was held in person for the first time since the pandemic. Nearly 200 patients, survivors, and caregivers gained access to leading experts and three days of meaningful connection, support, and memories in Philadelphia.

Selected recipients for $850,000 in research funding.

On December 20, the Alliance will announce its first research funding awards since the release of a national research strategy last December. The $850,000 investment to support innovative research and early-career investigators is the beginning of a $30 million commitment over the next five years.

Built a web-based patient support hub.

Starting on January 23, the Alliance will magnify its support of colorectal cancer patients and caregivers by launching a comprehensive, digital support hub. The platform will help allies navigate treatment and survivorship, connect with people who understand, and find the right information, without searching.

Launched an innovative prevention program.

With total funding support from Independence Blue Cross (IBC), the Cycles of Impact pilot is a flagship program of “Accelerating Health Equity” in Philadelphia. The program leverages the Alliance’s holistic approach to prevention and screening intervention to increase screening rates in Philadelphia among the Black population. The program will be replicated in Atlanta.

The Alliance can only do this type of work with support from our nation of allies. So from the bottom of our hearts ... thank you!