Colon Cancer Alliance Announces New Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board

Colon Cancer Alliance announced today the appointment of John Backus as the new Chairman of its Board and of Carmen Marc Valvo as Vice Chairman.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome and congratulate the newly appointed Chairman, John Backus, our Vice Chair, Carmen Marc Valvo and our brand new members, David Schoeman and Lee Dranikoff. The accomplishments of these remarkable leaders cannot be overstated and, on behalf of the entire Colon Cancer Alliance, I am thrilled to welcome them in their new roles.”
-Michael Sapienza, CEO

Based in the national capital region, John is a seasoned technology investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience investing in and managing rapidly growing companies. Before becoming a venture capitalist, he co-founded US Order, which revolutionized online banking, went public in 1995 and was sold to Visa. . John holds a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

“John Backus has a prominent background as a value creator and we are thrilled to have his leadership and governance,” Michael Sapienza, CEO. “We are truly well positioned to enter the next phase of our development and it is with gratitude and admiration that I welcome him as the new Chairman.”

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Carmen Marc Valvo, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

Carmen Marc Valvo, an American fashion designer, has used his designs as a platform to raise awareness about colon cancer all over the US. Carmen is an Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Ambassador and has appeared in a PSA with Vanessa Williams for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA). As a colon cancer survivor, Carmen Marc Valvo has been working with Katie Couric since 2004 when she partnered with the organizers of New York Fashion Week. Carmen has been honored by numerous organizations including Gilda’s Club World Wide, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, the American Cancer Society, and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

“Carmen Marc Valvo has a contagious energy that is both inspiring and influential to the colorectal cancer community,” Michael Sapienza, CEO. “His ability to connect, resonate, and lead patients, survivors & families, and the entire Colon Cancer Alliance organization is unsurpassable.”

The Colon Cancer Alliance would also like to thank Joe Frick for his time as the past board Chairman. “Joe has been a tremendous board chair, guiding CCA through many challenges and new opportunities. I’m personally grateful for his guidance and continued support,” Michael Sapienza, CEO.

About the Colon Cancer Alliance

The Colon Cancer Alliance is a national nonprofit committed to ending colon cancer within our lifetime. Working with our nation of passionate advocates, we are empowered to support the needs of patients and survivors, eager to raise awareness of preventative screening, and poised to help fund critical research. We are fiercely determined to end colon cancer once and for all.