Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force

Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force

Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force Logo A dark blue circle with the maps of Washington and Oregon states in the center holding letters NW CRC and words NW Colorectal Cancer at the top and Task Force below the map.

The Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force (NW CRC Task Force) is a collaboration of Washington State Colorectal Cancer Task Force and the Oregon State Colorectal Cancer Task Force. It encompasses a diverse group of individuals and organizations from the states of Oregon and Washington who have shared interest in reducing the burden of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and related health inequities in these states. 

To more about this task force, check out this flyer about Northwest CRC Task Force 

About the NW CRC Task Force

What is the NW CRC Task Force?

The Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force (NW CRC Task Force) include members from both Oregon and Washington who represent different public, private and nonprofit organizations that work towards reducing the burden of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and related health inequities in these states.

Our Mission

Our mission is to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer and related health inequities in the Northwest region by improving cancer screening rates and outcomes. We strive to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer in the region through collaborative efforts and fostering partnerships with diverse populations and organizations working across cancer care continuum to:

  • Increase prevention efforts
  • Promote screening
  • Improve access to care
  • Bolster survivorship support
  • Spread awareness

Member Expectations

Who are the members? 

Our members include healthcare providers, public health professionals, researchers, community health educators, community health workers, patient navigators, colorectal cancer survivors and community leaders among others. This Task Force has one working group- the communication campaign workgroup.

The leadership team include American Cancer Society, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, and WA State Department of Health. 

What do the expectations and time commitment look like?
  • Participation in the WA State CRC Task Force includes attending quarterly meetings depending on your availability.
    • The NW CRC Task Force members meet 3- 4 times a year for the quarterly meetings.
    • Duration of the meetings- 2 hours

 

  • Participation in the working groups if you would like to contribute more towards planning and implementing the Task Force projects
    • Currently has only one working group- The communication campaign group
    • Working groups meet depending on the needs and availability of group members

Meetings 

What is the purpose of quarterly meetings?

The 2-hour quarterly meetings offer the task force members the opportunities to learn and share the latest information on CRC, as well as identify, discuss, and find solutions together to address the barriers in accessing CRC screening and treatment services across these states. Through these meetings, we provide:

  • Education
  • Training
  • Latest Research
  • Data
  • Resources and Materials
  • Networking with Peers
  • Coordinate efforts, overcome challenges and accomplish goals together
What the working group meetings are for?

The communication campaign working group meets occasionally for one hour to plan and develop communication campaign materials, implement and coordinate related activities

Upcoming Meeting Schedule 
  • October 1st (Tuesday), 2024, 9:00am- 11:00 am on Zoom
Past Meeting Slides and Notes

2024                               

2023

Resources 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign Materials from NW CRC Task Force

MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Throughout the month of March, the Department of Health in partnership with the Northwest Colorectal Cancer Task Force, will engage in a public education campaign aimed at reducing colorectal cancer burden by increasing awareness and alleviating barriers to screening. Colorectal Cancer is completely preventable with screening. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. Infographics and Weekly topic briefers are available below:

2024 CRC Awareness Month Communication Campaign

Weekly Topic Briefers:

Podcast Episodes:

As part of 2024 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign, the NW CRC Task Force's communication campaign workgroup coordinated a podcast series on Colorectal Cancer in partnership with Colon Cancer Stars, and Cancer Pathways. Check out the links given below to listen to the four episodes in this podcast series: 

2023 CRC Awareness Month Communication Campaign

Social Media Post & Newsletter:

General Resources

Upcoming CRC Events

National and Regional CRC Events

Western Colorectal Cancer Consortium Conference

 

 

CRC Awareness Events in Oregon
  •  
CRC Awareness Events in Washington

Charity Golf Tournament by Colon Cancer Stars

 

Strike Out Colorectal Cancer Day by Colorectal Cancer Alliance

 

Seattle End to Walk Colon Cancer by Colorectal Cance Alliance

 

Interested in becoming involved or to get more information about the NW CRC Task Force, contact: Char Raunio, ACS State Partnerships, at Char.Raunio@cancer.org   

Have any questions about the upcoming meetings or want to post upcoming CRC events on this page, contact: Sahla Suman, WA DOH at Sahla.Suman@doh.wa.gov.

 

 

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