Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center Events and Resources

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The Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center distributes an e-Newsletter filled with research updates, news from the Center, and patient stories and resources. All are welcome to subscribe.

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We’re here to help our patients with colon or rectal cancer learn more about their disease and find support within a community of other young adults who can relate. 

Each year, we hold events to increase public awareness about the rise of colorectal cancer in young adults, such as our annual Patient and Family Forum. We also offer educational resources including podcasts, webinars, and our Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center patient newsletter.

Engage and Participate

Survivorship Care: What to do When Treatment is Over

December 16, 2025
12 p.m. ET via Zoom

Join The Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center and Nina Grenon NP, DNP from Dana-Farber’s Survivorship Program for a webinar focused on life after cancer treatment. Nina will share information about the survivorship clinic and discuss common physical and emotional challenges patients often experience, followed by Q&A. This program is designed for young-onset colorectal cancer patients and caregivers.

Register for the webinar or email youngcrc@dfci.harvard.edu for more information.

Jimmy Fund Walk

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Our Center is proud to have our own Jimmy Fund Walk team: Team Beyond CRC. For the last six years, Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center patients, friends, and staff have walked alongside each other to raise money for colorectal cancer research. Our team has even received the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Excellence in Fundraising award. This award is presented to the team with five or more members that raises the most money. 

Walk with us! To join our team, email youngcrc@dfci.harvard.edu.

One-to-One Telephone Support for Patients and Caregivers

For those navigating a cancer diagnosis, our free telephone support program connects patients and their caregivers with peers who understand. Peer mentors are here offer heartfelt support and guidance. Learn more about the One-to-One program.

Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council (APFAC)

Share your voice, guide projects, and help shape the patient care and family experience at Dana-Farber. Learn more about the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council and how you can participate.

Learn and Explore

Cancer Questions

Cancer Questions is a podcast produced by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that addresses some of the most common questions surrounding cancer risk and prevention. In this episode, Founding Director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center, Dr. Kimmie Ng, answers how – and when – different people should consider getting screened for colorectal cancer.

How and When Should I Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer?

In this episode, Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, highlights the latest guidelines for colorectal cancer screening from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

"Gut Instincts" Webinar Series

This educational webinar series features updates on cutting-edge research and treatment options for colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases. Explore the most recent installments of the series below.

Gut Instincts: Best Practices for Rectal Cancer

Dana-Farber’s Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center's Gut Instincts series continued on Monday, September 26, 2022, with an educational workshop on Best Practices for Rectal Cancer. Topics included chemotherapy, advances in radiation and its side effects, surgical management of rectal cancer, and a patient's perspective.

Patient and Family Forums

Each year, our colorectal cancer support forum offers inspiration and information from experts in the field. Below are highlights from some of our past events.

2026 Patient and Family Forum

Save the Date for the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center's 7th annual Patient and Family Forum, taking place on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Boston, MA. This special event will feature leading experts in young-onset colorectal cancer, along with valuable resources for patients, families, and caregivers.

Additional details coming soon. For updates about the Forum, sign up for the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center newsletter by emailing youngcrc@dfci.harvard.edu and ask to subscribe.

2025 Patient and Family Forum Highlights

The 6th Annual Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center Annual Patient and Family Forum took place Saturday, March 29, 2025. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Marisa Peters about her personal journey with young-onset colorectal cancer, as well as experts in colorectal cancer research, social work, symptom management, patient perspectives, and more.

Keynote Address from Marisa Peters | 2025 Annual Forum

In this powerful keynote, Marisa Peters shares how her advocacy work through BE SEEN empowers others to trust their voice, seek answers, and spread awareness.

2024 Patient and Family Forum Highlights

Keynote: Simone Ledward-Boseman

At the 5th Annual Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center Patient and Family Forum, Simone Ledward-Boseman, an artist, caregiver, and the widow of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, gave an incredible and inspiring keynote address.

2023 Patient and Family Forum Highlights

Research Keynote: Myriam Chalabi, MD, PhD

At our fourth annual Patient and Family Forum, gastrointestinal oncologist and clinician scientist Myriam Chalabi, MD, PhD, joined us from the Netherlands Cancer Institute to present her research on early innovative combination immunotherapy trials. Dr. Chalabi’s research is focused on better understanding the drivers of response in these tumors and finding novel immunotherapy treatments.

Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter

Our e-newsletter is filled with research updates, personal stories from our brave patients, and other resources focused on colorectal cancer in young adults. Subscribe to get information about upcoming events and other helpful tips to navigate your cancer journey.

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