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About Us
What is CROC?
Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer (CROC) is a grass roots cancer survivorship organization established in 1999 whose sole purpose is to support survivors and their families who strive to “turn tragedy into triumph” thru:
support events
education
publications
activities
grant application oversight
with love, compassion, empathy and warmth in a nonjudgmental, safe and non-discriminatory environment
Years providing support
Grants distributed
Dollars granted
Lives touched
We vow to replace the metaphorical, stiff white coat of the medical system with a warm, soft blanket of love for our survivors.
Our Story
Over the Years
1993
The Seedlings Of Necessity
Recognition of the “special” challenges facing the cancer patient and lack of specialized/individualized support and advocacy, especially in the Hudson Valley
1998
Powerful Observations
Involvement with ACS and Relay for Life
Recognition of the powerful bond between cancer patients and survivors within waiting rooms/clinics/hospitals/outside world
1999
Taking the plunge
Establishment of CROC – Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer – 1st grassroots not-for-profit cancer support group in the Hudson Valley formed by cancer survivors for cancer survivors
1999 - 2009
The first decade
Dozens of lectures and advocacy training
100s of events
1,000s of meals and support groups
10,000s encounters with patients, survivors, families and friends
2009 - 2019
The second decade
Explosion and expansion of support mechanisms
Nationally with flood of federal grants and endowments
Utilization of technology connecting survivors by internet / social media
Diminished need for small non-endowed grassroots programs
Birth of collaborative relationship with Celebrate Life Half Marathon providing oversight and distribution of fundraising to needy Hudson Valley cancer patients via grant applications to assist in medical care and emergency living expenses
2020 +
Evolve or Die
Birth of the CROC Podcast
Our Foundation
CROC’s Four Pillars
Engender informality to eradicate fear
Disseminate information to ensure proper shared decision making
Encourage approachability to derive better outcomes
Demand accessibility to abolish health disparities
The Power of the Survivor Equation
The power of the survivor is exponentially increased by the number of survivors in the network and the amount of resources and information available and inversely proportional to the amount of fear experienced by the cancer survivor.