Congratulations, Gaelen!

[juliej]

Am I the only one who missed that Gaelen just won the 2012 Andrew Giusti Award for her research advocacy? Congratulations, Gaelen!

http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/c3_news/2012/03/congrats_to_pat_steer_gaelen2_for_receiving_the_andrew_giusti_memorial_award_for_her_research_advocacy_httptcoe8r0stcd_conc2012#.T2DMsi1d_hM.mailto

("Gaelen") from central New York was awarded the Andrew Giusti Memorial Award. The award is given out annually in memory of Andy Giusti, a former Board member, scientist and colorectal cancer patient to honor advocates who work in the research environment "for activism on behalf of colorectal cancer patients and for focusing, like Andy did, on pushing for great science that will translate to patient benefit as quickly as possible." ("Gaelen"), a Stage IV survivor, was a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program in 2011 (CDMRP). The CDMRP funds research for colorectal cancer, among other cancers.

[Ashlee H.]

Congrats to Gaelen.
I will have to question though, if a member use an alias, should we really post their true full name without their permission.
Just a thought, but think I'd remove this until Gaelen gives the approval for it to be posted.
-Ashlee

[CRguy]

Congratulations Gaelen....advocate extraordinaire.

(Ashlee, probably a good idea generally, but Gaelen has her personal blogs listed in her signature, and they already list her name.)

Cheers
CRguy

[adina91]

Wow That is wonderful! Congrats Gaelen!

[live2jett]

So proud of you!!

[BeHereNow]

Very inspiring, GAELAN. Your advocacy benefits us all. I would like to know how or if there is any way that others of us can participate or support you in this endeavor?

Congratulations!

[Surroundedbylove]

Congratulations Gaelen - well deserved!

[Surroundedbylove]

Congratulations Gaelen - well deserved!

[ams5796]

Wonderful work!

[RixInPhx]

Congratulations Gaelen - well deserved!

x3.

Nice to know that others appreciate her work as much as we do here.

[Laurettas]

Thanks, Gaelen, for making such a difference and helping all those who have this disease! As someone else mentioned, anything the rest of us can do to help?

[Gaelen]

Julie - thanks. I couldn't say anything about it until after FightCRC made their announcement. The Andrew Giusti award is a really great honor and I'm very proud to even have been considered for it.

One of the coolest bestest meetings I had on the hill last week was w/Sen. Inouye's appropriations committee senior health care staff - the "ask" was why the DoD and CDMRP should keep funding CRC research. One aide said something like "on the Senate side, we try to focus on research that will directly benefit the warfighter (the soldier.)" So (already knowing the answer), I asked her what the age demographics were for "the warfighters." And when she answered 20-45, mainly men, I had her.

I told her that while we were making progress out in the world and w/in the military w/reduced incidence of diagnosed CRC and more favorable prognostics because of increased screening and education directed at the 50-70s, the age group that was experiencing the fastest rise in new dxs (due to lack of screening & education) were - 25-45 men ... Her "warfighters." And it was the #1 most-dxd cancer in the military, among soldiers (not families.)

You could watch the wheels turning in her brain. That's what makes research advocacy so cool.

[Kathryn in MN]

I was lucky enough to have been present to witness her getting this award, and hear all the work she has done to deserve it!

Congrats again for your continued advocacy - you've really made a difference!

[NWgirl]

I'll join the others in just saying how thrilled I am to see Gaelen recognized for all her contributions to the cause. We are very, very lucky to have her here on this board where she shares so much information with us.

I know that she has personally helped me a number of times in sorting out my situation, what I want to do and how to get there.

[dj2158]

Gaelen,

congratulations and what an honor! thank you for all you do to get the information out to the public and for your selfless help to each of us.

we are very proud of you.

love, donna