Global Colon Cancer Association

Growing and supporting the international Colon Cancer community - the gcca now represents more than 80 not for profit organizations from 40 countries. Our membership of patient groups has increased the organization's footprint in the international patient group arena. We use social media and email to communicate with both the crc community at large and to our member groups. Having every crc group in the world makes the organization much stronger in the policy arena and when advocating on behalf of the Colon Cancer community. Through this work, we have gained more credibility with potential funders as well as policymakers around the globe. This has resulted in an increase in funding as well as advocacy work.

Education - addressing the needs of the Colon Cancer community and the general public is the key to tackling the problems associated with Colon Cancer. With the disease being the most preventable major Cancer through screening, educating people about screenings is a major mission of the gcca and all of its members. In 2022, we held our 4th annual virtual colorectal Cancer congress, which provided critical disease education. Our know your biomarker program expanded in content and reach, as well as our clinical trial awareness program to increase participation and understanding of clinical trials. Further, the gcca attends major oncology and gastroenterology conferences where we frequently are also invited to speak, present, or otherwise educate the patient advocate community. Lastly, the gcca educates through social media and other programs we currently have where we provide forums for patient education and information exchange among patients.

Advocating for patient-centered policy - the gcca is a leader in the international policy arena, representing more than 6,000,000 colorectal Cancer patients around the world. The gcca invests substantial time in representing the patient perspective to regulators, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders, including the fda, ema, who and other governing bodies wherever possible. The gcca's policy travel expenses are paid by other coalitions so the organization does not incur a great deal of expenses in comparison to the amount of work performed.