TORONTO – Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC), the voice of colorectal cancer patients in Canada and Belong, the world’s largest social network for cancer patients and caregivers, have announced a new partnership toward improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer patients and their families by increasing access to high-quality content, digital services and community support.

The partnership, timed to launch before March colorectal cancer awareness month, combines CCC’s colorectal cancer expertise with Belong’s wide and comprehensive network. The partnership will provide unprecedented access to potentially lifesaving information and health management tips.

“Our partnership will improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, and increase patient engagement opening a modern, effective and up-to-date communication channel that enables real-time interaction,” said CCC’s president and CEO, Barry D. Stein (pictured). “Belong’s unique app and advanced technology provides all the resources cancer patients need in one place. This mobile platform allows patients to manage their care and treatment wherever they are, connecting them with unparalleled resources.”

As part of its partnership with Belong, CCC will add a closed member forum on the Belong platform, named: “Ask Colorectal Cancer Canada.” This forum keeps members up to date with news, events and activities, current updates and direct links to the association’s website. Patients and users can contact the association and receive personal guidance and assistance offered on a wide variety of colorectal cancer-related topics.

The CCC partnership strengthens the North American cancer community’s digital patient connection. Belong secured a partnership with the American Cancer Association in November 2017 and now ACS provides a direct discussion line to these leading science and patient advocacy resources via the Belong app.

Belong connects patients to public and private chats with doctors and professionals, as well as patient communities. Belong also uses its Big Data platform and machine learning technology to provide users with personalized alerts about relevant clinical trials, which may have a positive effect on their quality of life.

“This partnership enhances our vision to support patients and their loved ones while easing their concerns as they cope with a challenging disease,” said Eliran Malki, co-founder and CEO of Belong. “We aspire to improve the quality of life of all cancer patients. This service is a community that offers simple and up-to-date information, and we believe that the connection and solutions will save people time and money and assist them in their treatment decisions. As we continue this important work, we welcome additional collaboration with cancer advocacy groups and organizations across the world.”

About Belong

Founded in 2015 by noted entrepreneurs Eliran Malki, Irad Deutsch and Ohad Rubin each having lost relatives to cancer, Belong is a free patient navigation app that gives voice to cancer patients and their support network to explore and better manage their treatment journey and improve quality of life. The Belong global community is a proprietary Big Data platform and machine learning technology that enables people to connect, receive and share clinical information anonymously and discuss privately life issues of urgency. Today, Belong is the world’s largest digital cancer patient platform and is in partnership with the American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer Canada and others. For more information, please visit http://belong.life.

About Colorectal Cancer Canada

Colorectal Cancer Canada is Canada’s voice for colorectal cancer patients. It is dedicated to increasing awareness and education of colorectal cancer, supporting patients and their families, and advocating on their behalf. CCC was founded in 1998 and is a federally-chartered national not-for-profit organization comprised of an expert management team, volunteers, members and a national Board of Directors. It is assisted by an expert Medical Advisory Board made up of top healthcare professionals in the field of colorectal cancer. Learn more at www.colorectalcancercanada.com.