Columbia woman to advocate on Capitol Hill for colorectal cancer
March 8, 2017
Patricia Mouzon of Columbia will be one of the 16 scholars attending the national advocacy group Fight Colorectal Cancer’s Call-on Congress in Washington, D.C. from March 13-15. Mouzon was selected to receive a scholarship to attend the three-day lobby event where she will join other family members and survivors who’ve experienced colorectal cancer and visit with SC members of Congress on Capitol Hill. Mouzon advocates because she is a survivor diagnosed in 2015, and in memory of her cousin John Maple of Jersey City, who died from stage IV colon cancer in 2011.
Individuals from all over the U.S. applied to be one of the Call-on Congress scholars who receive complimentary hotel accommodations, registration and a ticket to the Celebration Dinner. Mouzon and the other 16 selected scholars were chosen because of their personal connections to the disease and passion for advocacy and awareness.
“Our scholars program gives advocates a chance to experience advocacy on the Hill for the first time,” said Fight CRC Advocacy Manager Emily Piekut. “We’re excited for Patricia to come represent SC – a key state in our advocacy efforts, learn how to advocate and meet others who’ve also fought cancer. Our sponsors of this scholarship – the Baker family, Friends of Rose, and the Fight Colorectal Cancer Board – are thrilled to see a passionate advocate like Patricia join us on the Hill.”
During the first two days of Mouzon’ s training, she will learn about the latest research in colorectal cancer like immunotherapy, hot topics tied to colorectal cancer (such as the rise of “under 50” cases – also called early-onset colorectal cancer), and policies that would remove barriers to screening.
“I chose to be an advocate because. Educating people through my own experiences as a colon cancer patient, help save lives” said Mouzon.
About Call-on Congress
Call-on Congress is Fight Colorectal Cancer’s cornerstone advocacy event that occurs every March in the Washington, D.C. area. The first two days of the event are full of panels and presentations by experts in research and policy issues affecting colorectal cancer. Advocates are also taught how to share their personal stories while connecting with others. On the third day, “Hill Day,” advocates meet in congressional offices to share their personal stories and make legislative asks. In 2017, attendees will be asking for support of bills that reduce barriers to Medicare screening and support funding for screening/prevention programs through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and research funding through theNational Cancer Institute (NCI) and Department of Defense (DoD). For details, bill numbers and specific dollar amounts requested within Fight CRC’s 2017 legislative goals visit Call-on Congres.org
About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a national nonprofit advocacy organization fighting for a cure. It was founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, a nationally-recognized patient advocate who witnessed the need for colorectal cancer advocacy after her mother-in-law’s diagnosis. The organization plays an important role in rallying colorectal cancer advocates to action. Fight CRC is known for activism and patient empowerment throughout patient, academic, political, scientific, medical and nonprofit communities. With a mission focused on advocacy, research, patient education and awareness, the organization serves advocates in every state of the U.S. and many others around the world. Fight CRC is a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator and 93 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to colorectal cancer programs. To learn more, visit FightCRC.org.
