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Chris4Life Research Program


The Colorectal Cancer Alliance established the Chris4Life Research Program in 2010 in honor of the late Christine Sapienza and for all the families who are affected by colorectal cancer. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is the world's largest non-profit colorectal cancer patient advocacy organization dedicated to funding colorectal cancer research. Our research program is a critical driving force in our mission to end colorectal cancer in our lifetime. Since 2016, the Alliance has funded nearly $3 million in cutting edge, innovative and life-saving research.

In 2020, we are committed to funding an additional $1.1 million to support individual scientists through competitive, peer-reviewed research grants. This year, Colorectal Cancer Alliance funding will focus on translational research that will impact young-onset colorectal cancer and health disparities. All proposals will undergo a rigorous two-tier review process by members of a distinguished Scientific Review Panel. The review panel operates under clear objective guidelines. Members of the panel are drawn from outstanding institutions such as:

  • National Cancer Institute

  • MD Anderson Cancer Center

  • Johns Hopkins University

  • Georgetown University

  • University of Colorado

  • Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center

  • University of South Carolina

Donate to the Research Fund


 Help Us Accelerate Colorectal Cancer Research—Donate to the Chris4Life Research Program today.

Thanks to our generous supporters and the work of researchers all over the world, more survivors are beating colorectal cancer than ever before. However, we still have a long way to go. We need:

  • Breakthroughs for advanced colorectal cancer
  • Less toxic and more effective cancer treatments,
  • Better techniques to diagnose and treat young onset colorectal cancer
  • A better understanding of what motivates people to get screened earlier and detect or prevent this unique cancer.

Let’s work together to ensure that more families beat this cancer.

Research Focus


Our scientific research focus areas may vary from year to year and are determined in part through discussions with our Medical and Scientific Research Committee. This year we plan to award three grants in the amount of $300,000 over a period of three years in young-onset colorectal cancer research and one grant in the amount of $200,000 over a period of two years in colorectal cancer health disparities.

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