Phuong Gallagher was originally diagnosed with stage IIIC colorectal cancer at the age of 29. Phuong was newly-married, and busy balancing life between being a stepmom and working as a corporate executive.

Within a year, she was stage IV. She remembers the first two years as a time of medical confusion and loneliness, following doctors’ orders without information and feeling like the only young person with this awful disease. Then she happened to come across the Colon Club and their chat forum, Colon Talk. This chance meeting changed her life and began her advocacy.

In the fourteen years since, Phuong has emerged as a leading national advocate, collaborating with doctors, advocacy and support organizations, and researchers to promote awareness, self-advocacy, and research. She focuses on outreach to and education of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, empowering them to become knowledgeable self-advocates, while also facilitating improved communication between doctors, researchers, and the larger patient community.

Phuong actively collaborates with doctors internationally, contributing to over a dozen publications that shed light on the unaddressed needs of the community. Additionally, she speaks to medical students, imparting valuable insights on effective communication with cancer patients and addressing common misunderstandings.

Her impactful work has led to numerous affiliations and engagements with prestigious institutions and events. She serves as a committee member of the Cancer Survivorship Advisory Council at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Furthermore, she actively contributes as a patient representative and advocate for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), guiding research and industry on recognizing and meeting patient needs. Phuong recently completed her three-year tenure as the Colon Club Present and currently heads Fight Colorectal Cancer’s Research Advocacy Training & Support (RATS) program and was recently appointed a Member of the NCI’s Patient Advocacy Steering Committee as a Task Force Advocate.

As a panelist and speaker, Phuong participates in discussions with researchers and groups emphasizing the patient perspective. Notably, she was a panelist at the White House for the 2023 Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum, where she urged proper communication surrounding palliative treatment and inclusion of underserved populations in clinical trials, challenging misconceptions to ensure patients receive the care they need.

Phuong’s unwavering dedication to the colorectal cancer community has made her an influential voice in the fight against this devastating disease. Through her advocacy, she offers hope, support, and valuable insights to countless patients and healthcare professionals alike, fostering a brighter future for those affected by colorectal cancer.