Abstract LB-83: Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3) and Thomas P. O'Sullivan Foundation: Advocacy, Research Funding, and Education
Authors: Sharp Doug 
Published: July 2012

Following the death of Doug Sharp's good friend, Tom O'Sullivan, in 2007, his widow and I established the Thomas P. O'Sullivan Foundation with the mission of raising funds for research and increasing public awareness and education about colorectal cancer. The foundation has held three annual golf tournaments which have collectively raised over $75,000.

The foundation has provided funds to specific research projects at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The Foundation is also tentatively funding an education day through the Kansas University Cancer Center in 2012 which will give doctors, scientists, staff and others a chance to speak and network with approximately 300 to 400 people who have an interest in colorectal cancer. Also, in 2012, the foundation is looking into funding a “Day at the Royals”_a major league baseball franchise in Kansas City, to increase education and awareness. Through his involvement in the fight against colorectal cancer following my friend's death, Mr. Sharp became involved in Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3) in 2010. C3 is a national nonprofit advocacy organization whose mission is fight colorectal cancer through research, empowerment, and increased access to treatment. The Coalition was established in 2005 in order to provide focus, infrastructure and support to the growing colorectal cancer advocacy movement. Nationally headquartered near Washington, DC, the Coalition is the sole colorectal cancer advocacy organization focusing on providing a voice for patients in the Halls of Congress and in research centers and regulatory agencies throughout the country while working to educate patients and caregivers about the disease and empower them to be their own best advocate.

Mr. Sharp attended C3's annual “Call on Congress” conference where he, alongside other advocates, was trained to lobby their member of Congress in Washington DC. The group specifically asked for support from the members on three legislative bills: HR 1330, the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Act; HR 1189, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act; and an increase in cancer research funding of $50 million for the fiscal year 2011 in the Department of Defense through an appropriations bill.

Earlier this year, he was one of six individuals from across the country asked to serve on C3's Grassroots Action Committee (GAC). The GAC is a steering committee charged with growing the C3 advocacy's membership, increasing awareness for C3 activities & goals, as well as organizing the 2011 “Call On Congress”. This year, advocates will be lobbying for the same pieces of legislation. In addition to those efforts, advocates will also be seeking support for a bill to issue a US Postage Stamp to bring about awareness and proceeds to fund colorectal cancer research.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-83. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-83