About Us

A wildly supportive colorectal cancer community

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COLONTOWNies basking in the glow of one of our live events

COLONTOWN is an online community of more than 120 “secret” groups on Facebook for colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and carepartners. If you or your loved one is facing a colon cancer or rectal cancer diagnosis, you can join groups (we call them “neighborhoods”) based on your stage of disease, specific types of treatment, and special interests – such as colorectal cancer clinical trials, young-onset colorectal cancer patients, and local support groups. Every neighborhood is led by Neighborhood Hosts, themselves living the experience.

Educational resources for colorectal cancer patients and carepartners

In addition to our online Facebook community, COLONTOWN offers free educational resources designed for colorectal cancer patients and carepartners. 

You can learn at your own pace at COLONTOWN University, where you’ll find Learning Centers on topics such as CRC 101 for newly diagnosed patients and Clinical Trials Basics for those searching for clinical trials. 

Attend one of COLONTOWN’s Doc Talks, live Zoom sessions with leading colorectal cancer doctors and researchers, to learn about the latest in treatment options and research advancements.

Patient-centered, patient-led

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Some of our patient leaders at our 2021 Leadership Summit

COLONTOWN was founded by a colorectal cancer survivor looking to create a disease-specific community where patients and their family members could support each other through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. As COLONTOWN has grown, it has continued its focus on empowering colorectal cancer patients and carepartners. The COLONTOWN Mayor, cabinet, and neighborhood hosts are all members of the community who have grown into leadership roles. Each year, dozens of COLONTOWN members participate in Empowered Patient Leaders Workshops to develop the skills to become leaders and advocates in the colorectal cancer community.

Supported by PALTOWN

COLONTOWN is supported by PALTOWN Development Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation. PALTOWN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering patients and carepartners by creating disease-specific communities to address information needs and social isolation through training, technology, and developing purpose-driven community leadership. Support COLONTOWN and PALTOWN by making a donation today! We can’t do this without YOU!