PALTOWN Programs
PALTOWN empowers proactive patients and caregivers with educational tools and peer-to-peer support. Our programs provide connection, education, and support to thousands of colorectal cancer patients and caregivers.
All our programs are created and managed by our patient and caregiver staff, who draw on their lived experience with cancer to give back in a meaningful way to their “neighbors.”
For colorectal cancer patients and caregivers
Home to thousands of members in 100 online "neighborhoods" spanning all aspects of the cancer experience. COLONTOWN is run entirely by patient and caregiver graduates of our Empowered Patient Leaders program.
The EPL program has become a cornerstone of PALTOWN’s patient education and community offerings. The Workshops train volunteer patients and caregivers to help run the 100+ neighborhoods in COLONTOWN, onboard new members, and expand the capacity of the community to provide both support and knowledge to its members.
Colorectal Cancer Education by Patients, For Patients
- CRC101 Learning Center: everything you need to know at diagnosis
- Diagnostic and Surveillance Testing: how biomarker testing can inform your treatment
- DocTalks: 100 video conversations with leading clinicians and researchers
- Side Effects Guide, Skin Issues Guide, and more!
Searching Safari Workshop
The Searching Safari program teaches stage IV colorectal cancer patients how to navigate the clinical trials landscape.
Based on the experiences of the 4,000+ members of COLONTOWN’s clinical trials neighborhoods, this course provides practical, patient-centric tools for identifying trial options.
Resource Fairs
Popular series of virtual events featuring programs and services offered by partner organizations.
Videos and resource packets from each Fair are archived on COLONTOWN University. Topics in 2023 and 2024 included resources for families, for caregivers, for fertility, and clinical trials access.
Second Opinion Project
The Second Opinion Project provides direct financial assistance to stage IV colorectal cancer patients seeking second opinions.
This project is the brainchild of caregiver Felix Lu, COLONTOWN member and caregiver for his wife Dianna, who passed away in 2020.
The Lu Family Fund supports the Second Opinion Project, which has approved 300 stage IV patients for assistance.
Derrière Diplomats
COLONTOWN patients are our best ambassadors! The Diplomats program sends participants to cancer centers all over the United States with materials for newly diagnosed patients and their care teams.
PALTOWN is partnering with BLKHLTH to develop a pilot project to test community-informed approaches to engaging Black patients and caregivers with the resources offered by patient-centered groups.
This project began with virtual and in-person events with stakeholders. The team is working on the next phase of this outreach for early 2025.