Crystal Lake Woman to Appear on Times Square Billboard in 'This is Crap' Campaign

“This is crap,” is one of many thoughts a colorectal cancer survivor thinks upon diagnosis. Crystal Lake's Julie Krause can attest.

Krause was diagnosed with stage IVB colorectal cancer at age 51. Because of her experience, she joined Fight Colorectal Cancer, a national nonprofit advocacy organization that is fighting for a cure. And this March - Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – she will be featured in a campaign called, “This is Crap,” which is launching in Times Square on March 1, according to a news release.

The campaign raises awareness of the disease, the second-leading cancer killer in the U.S. of men and women combined, and encourages supporters to sign a petition at FightCRC.org.

“Having cancer is not easy, but I refuse to allow cancer and cancer treatments to ruin my life,” Krause said. “I want a cure for myself and others. This disease takes to many, especially young people.”

Krause will appear in a series of videos, social media posts and on the NASDAQ board in Times Square throughout March 2017. The campaign is produced by the nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) and is working to obtain petition signatures from individuals who agree with the notion that colorectal cancer prevention is a national priority and research to cure the disease, which currently has no cure, is imperative. Signatures that come in by March 10 will be carried to members of Congress during Fight CRC’s Call-on Congress event March 15.

“Our advocacy efforts are focused on removing barriers to screening, funding life-saving research and putting the best interests of patients first,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight CRC. “As we ask Congress for support this March, the petition signatures will amplify the voices of those who travel to D.C. to show that colorectal cancer is a national priority.”

Krause joined Fight CRC in September 2016 as one of the organizations’ 25 ambassadors. As an ambassador she raises awareness and shares her story as part of the “One Million Strong,” a community of fighters who’ve gone public with their personal stories and use them to advocate for policy and research.

The One Million Strong community celebrates the strength of the over one million survivors living in the U.S. and strives to prevent cancer cases in others or, like in Krause’s case, connect with those who’ve faced the disease, according to a news release.

“Our One Million Strong community is very passionate about using our voices to speak out about this disease and provide those powerful ‘me too’ moments that come when survivors, caregivers and loved ones realize that our voices are more powerful when we work together,” said two-time survivor and Fight CRC Communications Director Danielle Burgess.

Other individual stories appearing in the “This.Is.Crap” campaign come from the One Million Strong community. To join, view more stories or sign the petition, visit FightCRC.org.

Colon and rectal cancers (colorectal cancer) make up the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined, according to a news release.

There will be an estimated 134,430 cases in 2017 and 50,260 deaths. The disease is preventable with screening, and 90 percent curable if caught early (stage I).

Over 60 percent of deaths could be avoided with screening. 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 years old, are on the rise, according to a news release.

Discussions with a doctor about screening and knowledge of signs and symptoms are critical steps for prevention.

Photo via Fight CRC