Press Releases

December 22, 2008

Colon Cancer Alliance Appoints Andrew Spiegel New Chief Executive Officer

WASHINGTON, D.C. / December 22, 2008 – The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) announced today the appointment of Andrew Spiegel as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Spiegel, an attorney, was a founder and board member of the Alliance. According to Michael Zahaby, Chairman of CCA's Board of Directors, “Mr. Spiegel was appointed to re-focus the association's efforts in raising awareness of colorectal cancer and increasing services for those affected by the disease.”

“I'm looking forward to my new role with the Colon Cancer Alliance,” said Mr. Spiegel. “My goals are to bring national attention to this disease by promoting screening compliance, soliciting funds dedicated to this cancer and helping to diminish the alarming number of unnecessary deaths from this very preventable disease.”

At the CCA, Mr. Spiegel will oversee daily operations, a multimillion-dollar budget and support hundreds of volunteers across the country. He plans to rapidly expand the very successful UNDY 5000 5K walk/runs and the ever-growing local chapters program to additional cities.

“My long term vision is to bring the UNDY 5000 to communities across the nation,” added Spiegel. “We have received inquiries from more than 60 cities to bring our awareness event to their neighborhoods. I intend to bring Colorectal Cancer into the mainstream and get government, corporate America and major donors to pay attention to this disease that takes more lives of Americans than breast cancer and AIDS combined.”

Spiegel has a long and personal history with colorectal cancer. In 1998, Spiegel's mother was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. She exhibited numerous symptoms, which were ignored by her physicians, and died nine months later. “At that time, the disease received little attention, despite it being the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Few had heard of colon cancer back then and even less were screened for the disease,” commented Mr. Spiegel. It was then, that Spiegel and a group of others founded the Colon Cancer Alliance to help bring greater public awareness to the disease and to provide support for those already affected. Since then, the CCA has grown tremendously and remains the leading advocacy group to battle colorectal cancer.

Mr. Zahaby added “I have worked closely with Andrew for several years and know of no one who is more passionate about this cause. I am delighted he has accepted the Board's invitation to take the leadership role of the organization and have no doubt he will be successful in furthering the mission of the CCA.”

Spiegel is a 1986 graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with minors in English and Philosophy. He is a 1989 graduate of the Widener University School of Law where he was an editor of the Delaware Law Forum, an invited member of the Phi Delta Phi legal honors society and a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. After working for a Philadelphia litigation firm, Spiegel opened his own law firm in 1995 and is a participating member of numerous legal organizations in the region.

Mr. Spiegel resides with his wife and two daughters in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, CCA provides patient support, education, research and advocacy across North America.

As the Voice of Survivors, CCA works as an advocate for colorectal cancer patients and their families. CCA offers information and support from the first-hand experience of survivors and others whose lives have been touched by this disease.

Today, CCA has over 37,000 members. Our help line receives an average of 700 calls monthly, and our support networks have assisted over 150,000 people. The growth and success of the organization is due in large part to caring volunteers who devote considerable time, skill and energy to achieving CCA's vision.

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