Behind a message of “Fight with Courage,” Emporia resident Jacqueline Schrader will be one of the 25 people featured in a new PSA rotating in Times Square this March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Schrader was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 48 and has become an ambassador for the country’s leading advocacy organization focused on colorectal cancer policy and research, Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). The PSA will launch during the NASDAQ Opening Bell Ceremony on Feb. 28 at 9:30am ET. Schrader’s story will launch on Fight CRC’s Facebook page on March 10.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in the U.S. of men and women combined and Schrader has courageously fought it and gotten involved with the hopes that her story will save lives.
“I want to open doors for people living in small towns and help educate them on screening options,” said Schrader.
Her story is one of many stories launching the annual One Million Strong campaign, a movement uniting the over one million survivors of colorectal cancer and their loved ones to get behind a cure and prevent future cases. This year’s theme, “Fight with Courage” is inspired by Schrader and the other Ambassadors featured in the campaign.
“Each year we choose a group of ambassadors to be the ‘faces’ of this disease in our annual One Million Strong campaign and each year’s group rallies around a united theme and mantra,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “This year’s group showed tremendous strength and positivity in light of everything they’ve gone through and we wanted to channel that to rally other advocates around the country to follow their example and fight with courage.”
To join Fight CRC’s awareness efforts this March, flex for a “strong arm” photo and post it on social media with the hashtag #StrongArmSelfie. Additionally, individuals can support Fight CRC’s advocates as they ascend Capitol Hill March 18-20 by adding their names to the “Fight with Courage” petition at //FightCRC.org/FightWithCourage.
To see all stories in the One Million Strong campaign, visit WeAreOneMillionStrong.org.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colon and rectal cancers (colorectal cancer) make up the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined. Each year there’s over 130,000 cases and 50,000 deaths. The disease is preventable with screening, and 90 percent curable in most cases. One in 20 people will be diagnosed with the disease. Although incidence rates over the past decade have decreased among those age-eligible for screenings, early-onset colorectal cancer (occurrences in those under age 50) are on the rise. Discussions with a doctor about screening and knowledge of signs and symptoms are critical steps for prevention.
About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a trusted national nonprofit advocacy organization fighting for a cure. It was founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, a 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 rated Platinum by nonprofit monitoring group GuideStar and is recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator. To learn more, visit FightCRC.org
