Welcome to the latest edition of CRC News, the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT) periodic newsletter for ACS NCCRT members working toward our shared goal to reach 80% in Every Community.   

Gloria Coronado, PhD, Confirmed as Vice-Chair Elect of ACS NCCRT Steering Committee 

Dr. Coronado Has Supported the ACS NCCRT in a Multitude of Ways Over Many Years 

The ACS NCCRT is pleased to announce that Gloria Coronado, PhD, associate director of Population Sciences, Arizona Cancer Center, has been selected and confirmed as Vice-Chair Elect of the ACS NCCRT Steering Committee. Dr. Coronado has been an invaluable thought leader while working with the ACS NCCRT, previously serving on the ACS NCCRT Steering Committee from 2016 to 2020 and currently serving as the co-chair of the ACS NCCRT Community Health Centers Strategic Priority Team. The ACS NCCRT welcomes Dr. Gloria Coronado warmly to our leadership as Vice-Chair Elect and foresee a bright future with her and Dr. Steven Itzkowitz leading the Roundtable. The ACS NCCRT Membership will have the opportunity to participate in a confirmation vote at the 2024 ACS NCCRT Annual Meeting in November.    

Register Now for Our Annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Webcast! 

Celebrate national achievements and hear the latest state of the field updates 

You’re invited to the ACS NCCRT’s annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Webcast on Wednesday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET! We hope you will join us to celebrate national achievements and to hear the latest state of the field updates that inform our work. Hear from our ACS NCCRT chair, Steven Itzkowitz, MD, and our incoming vice chair, Gloria Coronado, PhD; Laura Makaroff, DO, and Rebecca Siegel, MPH, American Cancer Society; Djenaba Joseph, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and other special guests. 

The webcast will also feature our 2024 80% in Every Community National Achievement Awards winners—stay tuned for the announcement in early March!  The webcast is free and is open to ACS NCCRT members, 80% Pledge partners, CDC grantees, ACS and ACS CAN staff, and other partners working to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Pre-registration is required. 

Blue Star Conversation Recording Available

Learn More About How Coalitions Can Impact CRC Screening Rates

Last week, the ACS NCCRT held the latest edition of our Blue Star Conversations to hear from and engage with members and expert speakers. Nikki Hayes, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Katie Bathje, MA, American Cancer Society, and Tamara Robinson, MS, Nebraska Cancer Coalition, provided an overview of work featured in the ACS NCCRT’s recently published Tailoring Colorectal Cancer Screening Messaging: A Practical Coalition Guide. Even if you’re not managing a coalition, practitioners will find value in the messaging guidance for hard-to-reach communities.  

“Your Colon is 45” Social Media Toolkit Available 

ACS and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Teamed Up to Create the Toolkit 

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have teamed up to present YourColonIs45.org — an initiative aimed at promoting colorectal cancer screening for individuals aged 45 and above. The website connects users to the CCA’s quiz for a personalized screening recommendation and the ACS’s screening locator. It also lets users send unique e-cards to family, friends, and colleagues to encourage colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45. Finally, a free social media toolkit is available for users to share pre-made social media posts promoting on-time screening beginning at 45. 

Exact Sciences’ FOCUS Program RFP Open 

Proposals Are Due on March 21 

ACS NCCRT corporate associate, Exact Sciences, recently announced their Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2024 Spring Funding Opportunities for CRC Screening Uptake Strategies, also known as the “FOCUS” Program, is now open. This initiative aims to support innovative projects focused on increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake. 

 Key details can be found at the following links: 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL FORM – fillable PDF (Must download to complete) 

APPLICATION PORTAL

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Announces New Research RFP 

Join the Informational Webinar on March 5 

ACS NCCRT member, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, recently announced a multi-million dollar RFP from Project Cure CRC. Based on expert input gained at the Project Cure CRC Summit in December, the Alliance is seeking proposals for translational research from academia and industry with the potential for high impacts on diagnoses, treatments, and survivorship. Awards range from $100,000 to $5 million per year. The application portal at ProposalCentral will open on March 1, and proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. The Alliance will host a webinar at 11 am ET on March 5 to review the RFP details. Questions? Please email [email protected].

Upcoming Member & Partner Events: 

Register and Save the Date for these Upcoming Programs 

• Dress in Blue Day is tomorrow, Friday, March 1, 2024. The annual event brings awareness to colorectal cancer and honors those who are impacted by the disease. Visit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to learn more. 
• The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) is hosting a virtual discussion titled “Real Talk: Why are so Many Young Black People Getting Colorectal Cancer?” on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm ET. Register here to join the webinar. 
• Registration for the 2024 Prevent Cancer Dialogue Virtual Series is now open! Select from multiple focus areas and dates to receive CEUs. Learn more on their website.
• The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) is hosting its second annual CME medical symposium on May 17, 2024, in Washington, DC. Save the data and find upcoming registration information on the ABGH website. 
• Registration is now open for the Southeastern Colorectal Cancer Consortium’s annual conference on June 11-13, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Visit the website for more information. 
• Save the date for the third annual Western Colorectal Cancer Consortium Conference on September 26-27, 2024, in Davis, CA. Visit the website for more information and registration starting April 1. 

Many thanks for the great work you do and best of luck with colorectal cancer awareness month events, campaigns, and programs!

The NCCRT Team

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