Second Opinion Stories
November 19th, 2021 — Meet Chastity and James, 2 of the stage IV patients who reached NED (No Evidence of Disease) thanks to the second opinions they sought with the help of PALTOWN’s Second Opinion Project.
COLONTOWN Presents: Rectal Cancer Doc Talk
November 15th, 2021 – Dr. J. Joshua Smith of MSKCC joined us for a Zoom discussion: Nonoperative Management in Rectal Cancer: Is It Time for Watch-and-Wait or Just More Wait and See?
Video will be available in COLONTOWN University next week.
Precision Medicine Learning Center Launches
October 25, 2021 — We invite you to explore COLONTOWN University’s newest Learning Center. We’ve asked leading researchers – and one very smart patient – to explain what precision medicine is and how it is changing treatment options for some CRC patients.
We are grateful to xCures for supporting this project, and for providing a look “under the hood” at their xInform service as part of the Center.
Doc Talk Series Now in The Lecture Hall
Have you missed a talk? Catch up on all our Doc Talks - from HAI to Proton Therapy to Interpreting Clinical Trials. We have more than 30 videos from leading doctors in our Lecture Hall. It's just a small part of what COLONTOWN University has to offer!
Research Roundup: June 2021
June 24, 2021 — PALTOWN’s Scientific Director Manju George and FightCRC’s Trial Curator Maia Walker have teamed up to discuss some of the most interesting CRC research presented at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in this blog produced by our partners at Fight CRC.
Community Engagement Initiative Launches
June 21, 2021 –COLONTOWN’s network of 36 U.S. and 6 international “Crews” connect members who live or are treated near each other. The Community Engagement Initiative will bring live versions of our Doc Talks series to patients around the country, beginning with Cleveland in August, 2021.
Many thanks to sponsor Thermo Fisher for supporting this Initiative.
COLONTOWN Presents: Doc Talk
June 18, 2021 — In the latest installment of our Doc Talk series, Dr. Gholami from UC Davis discusses HAI Chemotherapy for CRC Liver Metastases.
Empowered Patient Leaders: Summer 2021 Workshop
June 18, 2021 — Our next Empowered Patient Leaders Training is now accepting applications. This popular program trains patients and caregivers to become leaders in our COLONTOWN community.
The Summer 2021 Program will be virtual, following the successful model of our 2020 Workshops.
Lecture Hall Video Library
June 4, 2021 – The Lecture Hall, COLONTOWN University‘s newest Learning Center, offers videos on a wide range of topics for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers, including:
- Doc Talks from leading clinicians
- Education and inspiration from our patient and caregiver staff
- Medical education from our partners – learn like the docs do!
We thank our University sponsor, Thermo Fisher, for their support of this project.
COLONTOWN Doc Talk Series
April 5, 2021 – This spring, COLONTOWN presents a series of Zoom talks for colorectal patients and caregivers with some of the leading clinicians in the U.S.
You can catch up on all our Doc Talks in COLONTOWN University’s The Lecture Hall. It’s free and open to all!
PALTOWN 2020 Annual Report
March 3, 2021 – Our yearly summary has arrived! Meet some of PALTOWN’s amazing people and get up to speed on our programs and operations with this short snapshot of 2020.
COLONTOWN Junior: a new community space
January 21, 2021 – COLONTOWN Junior is a new community for families impacted by pediatric colorectal cancer. Parents and caregivers of crc patients under 21 are invited to join COLONTOWN Junior. Experienced COLONTOWN administrators help families find the support and resources they need.
Second Opinion Project Launches
January 20, 2021 – PALTOWN is excited to announce the Second Opinion Project, supported by the Lu Family Fund. The Project provides financial assistance to stage iv colorectal cancer patients seeking second opinions and new treatment options.
Co-Founder Erika Brown Leaves PALTOWN
January 18, 2021 – COLONTOWN’s Founding Mayor and PALTOWN Co-founder Erika Hanson Brown is moving forward in her quest for increased patient empowerment in healthcare through new ventures in 2021. The PALTOWN Board of Directors extends deep gratitude to Erika for her work and leadership.
Video Series: Stage IV to NED
PALTOWN presents the stories of stage iv colorectal cancer patients with “no evidence of disease” (NED). COLONTOWN Mayor Lindsey Emma introduces these inspiring COLONTOWN members.
COLONTOWN University Now Open for All
December 12, 2020 — COLONTOWN University, PALTOWN’s online education and training platform for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers, is now available to the public. We invite everyone to join and access our Clinical Trials and Diagnostic and Surveillance Testing Learning Centers!
Dr. Chelsea Boet
November 17, 2020 -- All of us at PALTOWN are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, colleague, and fearless champion Dr. Chelsea Boet. Chelsea was an active and engaged member of the PALTOWN Board of Directors. She was passionate about inspiring, supporting, and serving others in the CRC community. Today we share our broken hearts and deepest condolences with her husband, children, family, and so many who will profoundly feel her absence. She was a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, doctor & friend. She cared deeply, inspired many, and made this world a better place. Her strength, compassion, tireless advocacy, and courage will continue to inspire all of us to shine our light even brighter in service of all those in the CRC community.
PALTOWN and HalioDx Partner on Colorectal Cancer Testing Learning Center
Marseille, France, October 8, 2020 — HalioDx SAS, the immuno-oncology diagnostic company, today announced the company will be participating in COLONTOWN University’s Diagnostic and Surveillance Testing Center.
PALTOWN and Natera Team Up to Launch COLONTOWN University
October 1, 2020: PALTOWN today announced its partnership with Natera, Inc. on the launch of COLONTOWN University (CTU), the first of its kind online learning center for over 5,300 Colorectal Cancer patients and caregivers.
Ruminations on Life and Loss
Sept 15, 2020: PALTOWN Board member and COLONTOWNie Howard Brown is this month's guest blogger at the Colon Cancer Coalition.
New COLONTOWN Management Team
July 15, 2020: Introducing our new COLONTOWN Management Team! Our new Mayor and Deputy Mayors each bring passion, commitment, and deep experience to their new roles leading our 5,000 member colorectal cancer community. Meet the Team
Support for our Community Leaders
June 25, 2020: We are excited to announce that the Colon Cancer Coalition has renewed its support for our Community Leaders, the team of patients and caregivers who manage our colorectal cancer community COLONTOWN.
Celebrating National Survivors Day
June 7, 2020: In honor of National Survivors Day, some of COLONTOWN’s Stage IV survivors put together this compilation of their journeys to NED (No Evidence of Disease).
Research Project Presented at ASCO Annual Meeting
May 29, 2020: COLONTOWN members created a protocol to help care teams understand how icing can improve quality of life for colorectal cancer patients receiving a common chemotherapy regimen. Check out our recent blog post for background on this innovative project.
New Leadership for COLONTOWN
April 10, 2020: We are proud to announce an important milestone for our colorectal cancer community, COLONTOWN. Read More
PALTOWN Voices
Clinical Trial Conversations with Maia and Manju: October 2021
Join FightCRC Trial Curator Maia Walker and PALTOWN Scientific Director Manju George as they review some interesting trials for CRC patients.
Meet Betsy Post!
I came to COLONTOWN as primary caregiver for my intellectually disabled sister, Pam, who was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in 2016. I was
Do you have a newsworthy story to share about our communities? Contact Trevor Maxwell.
Check out our Youtube channel for scenes from our workshops, video blogs, and more.
Listen Now: COLONTOWN's Manju George on Stat's Readout LOUD
Scientific Director Manju George discusses the rise of early onset colorectal cancer and potential strategies to mitigate this frightening trend. Her interview starts at 16:50 in this podcast.
Manju George
Manju is a research scientist and a rectal cancer survivor. As PALTOWN's Scientific Director, Manju oversees our scientific education programs, including CRC101, a resource for newly diagnosed patients arriving in our COLONTOWN community.