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CCRAN's Mission Statement

The Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN) is the most trusted colorectal cancer patient and caregiver network in Canada. We champion the health and the well-being of Canadians touched by colorectal cancer and others at risk of developing the disease by providing a "SEA" of services: Support, Education and Advocacy.

We increase awareness on the prevalence of colorectal cancer, including Canadians under 50 years of age and promote participation in screening programs to help prevent colorectal cancer. We provide evidence-based programming to help guide informed decision-making that may ulitmately reduce the burden of cancer in Canada.

We relentlessly advocate for equal and timely access to effective therapies to improve cancer patient outcomes by making Health Technology Assessment (HTA) patient evidence submissions across multiple tumour types on behalf of:
i. Patient advocacy groups who may not have the capacity to make these critically important submissions or
ii. Within therapeutic areas where there is no representative patient advocacy group

CCRAN is dedicated to improving the longevity and quality of life for all  cancer patients in Canada.


our team

Our Team

CCRAN was formed from a grassroots colorectal cancer information and support group in August 2006. We champion the health and well-being of Canadians directly affected by colorectal cancer and others at risk of developing the disease. We provide evidence-based information and educational tools to support colorectal cancer patients and advocate for improvements in their longevity and quality of life.

CCRAN’s efforts stem from genuine compassion to improve the lives of colorectal cancer patients and reduce the risk of developing this disease in others. Many of our team members have been touched by colorectal cancer through a personal diagnosis, or that of a family member, friend, or colleague. We recognize the journey is fraught with loneliness and isolation which is why we aim to deliver our services with much care and attention to patient-focused and evidence-based programming.

Filomena Servidio
President & CEO
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726) Ext 1000
Cassandra Macaulay, MHS
Senior Manager of Programs & Education
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726) Ext 1001
Olamide Coker
Manager, Communications & Special Initiatives
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726) Ext 1004
Monika Slovinec-D’Angelo, PhD
Chief Research Officer
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Hayley Painter, RN
Early Age Onset CRC Patient Programs Manager
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Felicia Newell, RD
National Registered Dietitian
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Frank Pitman
Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726) Ext 1003
Meital Itzkovich
Administration & Events Coordinator
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726) Ext 1002
Mikaela Manna
Clinical Research Updates Coordinator
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Iman Fahad
Patient Programs Assistant
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Anton Pirisi
Social Media Coordinator
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Trisha Banerjee
Communications Coordinator
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
Himanshi Singhvi
National Programs Officer
1 833 79 CCRAN (22726)
patient advisory

Patient Advisory Council

CCRAN is a patient-focused organization, inspired by patients and caregivers who have navigated and continue to navigate the colorectal cancer journey with confidence and courage. CCRAN takes its lead from these patients and caregivers who thoughtfully counsel CCRAN on patient programs that could be of significant help to other patients and caregivers dealing with this disease across Canada.

Accordingly, CCRAN has commissioned the creation of the Patient Advisory Council. The Patient Advisory Council is a one-of-a-kind initiative that sets CCRAN apart from all other organizations. Council members advise CCRAN on programs and initiatives that can positively impact the colorectal cancer patient population in Canada. Their past experiences serve as a source of inspiration and hope for patients and pave the way for the development of future programs at CCRAN.

Over 50 Patient Advisory Council

Chair

Mr. Bill McGinley, Stage IV Patient

Vice Chair

Ms. Joy Coulson, Caregiver

Members

Mr. John Kutkevicius
Stage IV Survivor
Mr. Parviz Haghgouye
Stage II Survivor
Ms. Marie Taurasi
Stage III Survivor
Ms. Chris Hiller
Stage II Survivor
Ms. Robin McGee
Stage IV Patient
Mr. Robert Hamilton
Stage III Survivor
young

Young Adult Colorectal Cancer Patient Advisory Council

CCRAN is inspired by the journeys of both early- and later-stage cancer patients of the young adult colorectal cancer population.

We created the Young Adult Colorectal Cancer Patient Advisory Council to secure direction and guidance from young patients who can provide meaningful and practical input into the development of CCRAN’s national patient programs.

Their unique set of circumstances allows them to share their inspiring and compelling experiences to help others diagnosed with early age onset colorectal cancer.

Chair

Mr. Andrew Hare
Stage IV Survivor

Members

Ms. Ana Bettencourt
Stage IV Survivor
Dr. Marko Yurkovich
Stage IV Patient
Ms. Jessica Dasler
Stage IV Patient
Ms. Natalie Lipschultz
Stage IV Patient
Ms. Suzanne Wood
Stage IV Patient
Ms. Armina Ligaya
Stage II Survivor
Ms. Hayley Painter
Stage IV Patient
Mr. Steve Slack
Stage IV Patient
Mr. Jason Abramovitch
Stage IV Patient
board

Board of Directors

CCRAN is governed by a Board of Directors who judiciously counsel CCRAN on legal and ethical matters of integrity, as well as ensure the effective running and management of the organization.

CCRAN is honoured to be governed by an esteemed group of professionals who are all passionate about bettering the lives of colorectal cancer patients and caregivers.

Suzanne Quinn
Chairman
Vaughan, ON
Mario Appugliesi
Vice Chair
Etobicoke, ON
Shaniah Leduc
Board Member
Oakville, ON
Stephanie Prizzi
Board Member
Vaughan, ON
Joy Coulson
Board Member
Oakville, ON
medical

Medical & Scientific Advisory Board

CCRAN is privileged to be led by a multidisciplinary Medical & Scientific Advisory Board who keep CCRAN abreast of the latest developments in the management of colorectal cancer. They work tirelessly every day to prevent, treat, and manage the pathology in Canadians with the utmost compassion and dedication.

Co-Chairs

Dr. Sharlene Gill
Staff Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, BC
Dr. Michael Raphael
Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON

Members

Dr. Shady Ashamalla
Colorectal Surgical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Ronald Burkes
GI Medical Oncologist, Sinai Health System
Toronto, ON
Dr. Ian Bookman
Head, Division of Gastroenterology, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Founder, Bumrun
Toronto, ON
Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley
Medical Oncologist, Medical Director of the Cancer Program
Director of the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at the Sinai Health Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Ms. Britney Butt
Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence, North York General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Michael Carter
Pathologist, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dr. Eric Chen
Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, UHN
Toronto, ON
Dr. William Chu
Colorectal Radiation Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Marcelo Cypel
Thoracic Surgical Oncologist Canada Research Chair in Lung Transplantation, UHN
Toronto, ON
Mary De Vera, PhD
Canada Research Chair in Medication Adherence, Utilization, and Outcomes, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar
Vancouver, BC
Dr. Gareth Eeson
Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, Kelowna General Hospital & BC Cancer Agency
Kelowna, BC
Dr. Sam Elfassy
Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Cathy Eng
Medical Oncologist, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre
Nashville, TN
Dr. Mary Jane Esplen
Full Professor and Vice-Chair, Equity and Mentorship in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
Dr. Anand Govindarajan
Peritoneal & Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncologist, Mount Sinai Hospital
Toronto, ON
Dr. Usmaan Hameed
GI Surgical Oncologist, North York General Hospital
Toronto, ON
Dr. Paul Karanicolas
Surgical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Yoo-Joung (Yooj) Ko
Medical Director, Oncology and Endoscopy Program, Unity Health Care
Toronto, ON
Dr. Calvin Law
Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Christopher Lieu
Associate Professor, Medicine – Medical Oncology
Associate Director for Clinical Research Co-Director, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
School of Medicine, University of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, USA
Dr. Howard Lim
Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, BC
Dr. Kim Ma
Hematologist-Oncologist / GI Oncologist, Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute
Montréal, QC
Dr. Eric Marsden
Clinical Director & Naturopathic Cancer Care Residency Director
Vaughan, ON
Stephanie Michaud, PhD
President & Chief Executive Officer BioCanRX
Ottawa, ON
Dr. José Perea Garcia, PhD
Chief of Surgery, Vithas Arturo Soria Hospital
Madrid, Spain
Dr. Sheron Perera
Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh
Medical Oncologist & Associate Professor, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre & Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
Dawn P. Richards, PhD
Founder of Five O2 Labs Inc., Director of Patient and Public Engagement, Clinical Trials Ontario
Toronto, ON
Dr. Rob Rutledge
Radiation Oncologist, Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
Dr. Gonzalo Sapisochin
Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncologist, Assistant Professor, Division of General Surgery, UHN
Toronto, ON
Dr. Daniel Schiller
Colorectal Cancer Surgical Oncologist, Royal Alexandra Hospital
Edmonton, AB
Dr. Lucas Sideris
Surgical Oncologist, Clinical Focus on the Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies
Montreal, QC
Dr. Stephanie Snow
Medical Oncologist, Division of Medical Oncology, QEII
Halifax, NS
Dr. Jennifer Spratlin
Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute Gastrointestinal Oncology and Phase I Clinical Trials/Investigational New Drugs
Edmonton, AB
Dr. Patricia Tang
Medical Oncologist, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Calgary
Gastrointestinal Tumor Group Leader, Tom Baker Cancer Centre
Calgary, AB
Dr. Mark Vincent
Medical Oncologist, London Health Sciences Centre, London Regional Cancer Program
London, ON
Dr. Petra Wildgoose
Primary Care Physician Lead, Young Adult Colorectal Cancer Clinic Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. Clarence Wong
Associate Professor Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta
Medical Director, Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
Edmonton, AB
Dr. Rebecca K. S. Wong
Hepatobiliary Radiation Oncologist, Clinician Investigator, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Cancer Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Toronto, ON
Dr. George Zogopoulos
Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology McGill University
Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgeon, MUHC
Montreal, QC
Dr. Carl J. Brown
Colorectal Surgical Oncologist
BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, BC
Dr. Blaire Anderson
Oncology Surgeon; Assistant Professor, Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Edmonton, AB
Dr. Eve Simoneau
Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Assistant Professor, Division of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Montreal
Montreal, QC

Patient Programs

food for life

My Foods For Life

Primary and Secondary Cancer Prevention Program

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my consultant

My Early Age Onset CRC

Evidence-based Information for the Under 50 Patient

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ccran coach

My CRC Coach

Peer-to-Peer Support Program

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