Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation
  Founder and President Thomas Weber, MD
    Sets Ambitious Fundraising Goals
      for The 2010 Colon Cancer Challenge

—Posted on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Dr. Thomas K. Weber, MD

Dr. Weber spoke to Colon Cancer Survivors, Team Captains, Sponsors and Supporters at the January 21st Kick-Off Event for the 2010 Colon Cancer Challenge held at The Lighthouse in mid-town Manhattan.
 
    Speaking to the group, Dr. Weber explained the work of the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation has never been more important.
 
    “Our mission of promoting colorectal cancer awareness, prevention, patient advocacy and research remains critical in the fight against this preventable but all to often-fatal disease. That is why we are setting an ambitious fundraising goal of $500,000 for this year’s Colon Cancer Challenge [see our Daily Progress Report].
 
    “The Colon Cancer Challenge event, thanks to all of you, continues to grow in size and media attention, further promoting awareness of the colorectal cancer problem across the nation. However, every aspect of the fight against this disease needs additional resources to be effective. This includes the New York City Council, American Cancer Society fund for colorectal cancer screening among the uninsured and the Citywide Colorectal Cancer Control Coalition (C5)— both of which require on-going and expanded support to provide screening to those in need and to continue valuable groundbreaking work on improving the quality and effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening efforts.

	The Kickoff Event at The Lighthouse in Manhattan

 
    “The Foundation would like to be able to support similar efforts across the nation. Similarly, academic medical and research groups focused on colorectal cancer occurring at high rates in some families and early age of onset colorectal cancer, such as the Collaborative Group of the Americas (CGA) are seeking support to improve access to colorectal cancer family registries at academic medical centers across the country. These registries assist individuals and families in understanding their risk of developing the disease based on family history and, in some cases, genetic testing supervised by genetic counselors.
 
    “The CGA will have a 2010 Colon Cancer Challenge Team. From the international perspective, the International Society for the Study of Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumors (InSiGHT) and the Human Variome Project bring medical and scientific talent from around the world together to better understand hereditary colorectal cancer and the genetics of why some people and families are at dramatically increased risk of developing the disease. Both InSiGHT and the Human Variome Project are planning teams for this year’s Challenge, with Human Variome Project Founder Professor Richard Cotton planning to travel from Melbourne, Australia to lead the Variome team!
 
    “Successfully reaching our fundraising goal will also allow the Foundation to continue its support of young medical and scientific investigators interested in the colorectal cancer problem. This investment in the future is critical.
 
    “These are just a few of the many reasons why securing this year’s $500,000 fundraising goal is so important. It is also crucial as we begin the vital task of building the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation Endowment, to ensure that the important work of the Foundation continues for years to come, until there are no more cases of colorectal cancer.”
 
    Dr. Weber also asked the audience to note a new and exciting dimension to this year’s Colon Cancer Challenge: the 2010 Virtual Colon Cancer Challenge. The Virtual Challenge builds on some of the Challenge website tools we have always had available. However, this year we are expanding those tools and capabilities so that wherever you are across America or around the globe, you will be able to start teams and fundraise to support the Colon Cancer Challenge and the Foundation’s Mission.
 
    Placing a “green” border around the Challenge Foundation’s “blue” logo, Dr. Weber observed, “The Virtual Colon Cancer Challenge allows us to grow the Challenge into a truly national and international event, while fully supporting New York City Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy’s efforts to protect and preserve Central Park for all New Yorkers as well as visitors from around the world.”
 
    In closing, Dr. Weber thanked everyone for taking the time to attend and for their support of the Colon Cancer Challenge and Foundation. “Together, we can once again show the nation that colorectal cancer is Preventable, Treatable and Beatable.”

• SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation Partnership for 2010 Colon Cancer Challenge (posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010)