Standing Behind the Blue Flags: A First-time FightCRC Experience I鈥檒l Never Forget
By Meggan Werkheiser, Content Marketing Manager
I didn鈥檛 know what to expect when I arrived in Washington D.C. as a first-time volunteer for . The event kicked off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month on Sunday, March 1, with 500 volunteers traveling to the area to plant flags and advocate change. I was thrilled my sister was along for the experience as well 鈥 twinning in our Colonoscopy Enthusiast shirts, unaware the day would leave such a lasting impression.
More Than a Visual
The was dedicated to planting more than 27,000 blue flags on the National Mall, directly in front of the U.S. Capitol. Volunteers came prepared 鈥 gloves, knee pads, winter hats and baseball hats, because who knows what kind of March day we were in for. I emphasize this part because the organizers at Fight! Colorectal Cancer have their itinerary down to a science, and the visual is what supports the message throughout the planned events, right down to those blue flags. Every row is checked. Every flag is straightened. If one flag is off, it鈥檚 fixed. Because if the visual is messy, the message is lost.
And the message couldn鈥檛 be clearer.
These flags represent lives鈥攔eal people in their 20s and 30s鈥 who are projected to be impacted by colorectal cancer in the year 2030.1
Yet today, the recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer is still 45.2 While that鈥檚 progress from the previous guideline to begin screening at 50, mounting research shows a troubling rise in diagnoses and deaths among even younger adults.1,3 At this time, people are being told they are 鈥渢oo young鈥 for a colonoscopy, and many insurance plans will not cover the procedure below the recommended screening age.
That disconnect between risk and access is costing lives.
Stories That Demand Change
The second day of Call-on Congress brought us indoors, but the impact was no less powerful. FightCRC gathered advocates, survivors, caregivers, and supporters in a hotel conference room not only to inspire, but to train people on how to deliver their stories to Congress in a meaningful and impactful way.
The room vibrated with tears and then cheers, with stories from people who had been attending this event for five years in a row-- coming back again and again because they know this fight isn鈥檛 over.
One woman courageously chose to be at this event even though she was scheduled to receive chemotherapy the next day. Through wavering tears, she told us she felt this was that important-- that advocating for change mattered not only for her, but for everyone standing beside her and beyond.
Another woman shared that she had to fake symptoms just to get a colonoscopy because she was under 45. She was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. Her story landed heavily. No one should have to exaggerate or fabricate symptoms to access potentially life-saving care.
On the third day, these empowered individuals stood in front of lawmakers to advocate for change when it comes to colorectal cancer screening.
Why This Fight Is Personal for Me
成人B站 employees, Tamas Otvos, Meggan Werkheiser, Annie McGeary, and Meggan's sister, Kim Oates, planted flags during FightCRC's Call-on Congress event.
As I listened to these stories, .
I was in eighth grade when my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45. At the time, routine screening didn鈥檛 begin until age 50, so cancer wasn鈥檛 even on his radar. He endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, but the cancer spread. He passed away at 49.
That experience impacts how I show up for my own health and for my family. My husband, like so many younger adults, was initially told he was 鈥渢oo young鈥 for a colonoscopy at 38, even though his insurance covered it. As an 成人B站 employee, our health plan covers colonoscopies for employees and eligible dependents regardless of age, symptoms, or risk factors鈥攔emoving one barrier, but not the need to advocate for care. So we kept pushing. Eventually, he found a physician who listened. During that colonoscopy, two polyps were removed-- one of them was precancerous. That procedure likely changed the course of his life.
That鈥檚 the power of access. .
After returning from Call-on Congress, my 11-year-old son asked about the flags I was planting. I told him they raise awareness for colorectal cancer, a disease that took his grandfather's life in 2003 and increasingly affects younger people. I explained that the current screening guidelines recommend starting at age 45, which leaves people in their 20s or 30s who are increasingly at risk without resources to get screened. My son raised his eyebrows and looked confused. 鈥淲ell, that makes no sense.鈥 From the mouths of babes, I said as I hugged him.
The People Who Make This Movement What It Is
One of the greatest honors of this experience was connecting with fellow sponsors and volunteers and talking about our why. Why were we there? Why does this matter?
As I was planting flags and getting a well-earned blister on my thumb, the woman next to me introduced herself. She said she was a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, and she never thought she鈥檇 be here for this day. These are the people driving this movement forward鈥攏ot because it鈥檚 easy, but because it鈥檚 necessary.
Moving Forward, Together
Working at 成人B站 has shown me that early detection isn鈥檛 just something we talk about, it鈥檚 something we act on.
Standing behind those blue flags with my fellow 成人B站 colleagues, I felt immense pride鈥 not just in being there, but in standing with an organization that truly walks the walk and supports FightCRC鈥檚 mission.
If there鈥檚 one thing to take away from this experience, it鈥檚 this: Advocacy matters. Stories matter. And early detection makes a difference.
Take Action
Learn more about colorectal cancer screening at
Support advocacy, research, and policy change by visiting
Because the message behind those blue flags is urgent鈥攁nd it鈥檚 one we can鈥檛 afford to ignore.
1. American Cancer Society Journals. 2024. Accessed March 27, 2026.
2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Colorectal Cancer: Screening. May 2021. Accessed March 27, 2026.
3. American Cancer Society. 2023. Accessed March 27, 2026.
