FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Tomorrow Can’t Wait 2017 National Conference is the Colon Cancer Alliance’s signature Patient & Family Support and educational outreach event. We are committed to providing attendees with the latest treatment and survivorship information, in a forum attendees can interact and network with other CRC patients and survivors. Attendance is not limited, and is open to all colorectal cancer patients and survivors, both in and out of treatment, their caregivers and family members. Advocacy groups, medical and clinicians are also welcome. All attendees must register in advance through our online registration process. All attendees must register in advance through our online registration process.

The Tomorrow Can’t Wait 2017 National Conference will occur over the course of two days at the incredible Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland  and Conference Center located in the heart of the Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the country. Amenities include a fitness center and sauna, several restaurants, a bar, and free in-room Internet Wi-Fi. Accessible rooms are also available.

Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland and Conference Center
9801 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland , Ohio ,44106
Hotel General Number: (216) 707-4100
Reservations: (844) 748-2877

The Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland and Conference Center is located sixteen miles from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). Estimated Uber and taxi costs are $20 and $40 respectively, and are estimated to take approximately 25 minutes one way.

Driving directions can be found by clicking Driving Directions.

Yes. The Colon Cancer Alliance has negotiated a $18/day valet parking fee. The Colon Cancer Alliance has a limited budget that can cover the parking fees for the first 30 local attendees that apply for a parking scholarship in the form of a voucher. Vouchers are available on a first come first served basis via our scholarship application process. See travel scholarships for details.

All Tomorrow Can’t Wait National Conference attendees, including scholarship recipients, must register online. Once basic conference registration and demographic information is collected, then:

• For attendees not applying for scholarships, the last step in the online registration process will be payment of the $50 registration fee to confirm attendance.
• For scholarship recipients, once the Colon Cancer Alliance receives all required forms, confirmed scholarship recipients will receive a link to where they need to pay the $50 registration.

Each attendee must register and pay separately. If this poses a hardship, please contact Nancy Butterfield at NButterfield@ccalliance.org to discuss additional options for submitting payment.

If you are requesting and receive a lodging scholarship, your room will be booked for you. All Lodging scholarship recipients will be required to share a room with another recipient.

If  you need a room, we have negotiated a special conference room rate of $125 per night, single or double occupancy, exclusive of applicable state and local taxes (16.5%). You can make your reservations at Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland Reservations by calling (216) 707-4100 or 844-748-2877. When calling, please reference Group Code “Colon Cancer Alliance Annual Conference” to receive the special rate. This group rate is good three days pre/post event based on availability.  Please make your room reservations at your earliest convenience as space is filling up fast.

Yes, the reservation deadline for non-lodging scholarship attendees is October 8, 2017. Reservations made after that date, or after the Colon Cancer Alliance room block sells out, may be subject to a higher rate or may not be available. Currently, the Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland is accepting reservations, so don’t delay in making your arrangements.

Remember, successful lodging scholarship recipients will have their hotel room reservations made for them

Yes, but we have not made any alternative overflow hotel arrangements and rates may vary.

Only a limited number of Lodging Scholarships and Travel Scholarships are available through our application process. Lodging and travel scholarships are intended to assist those attendees who might not otherwise be able to attend without such financial assistance. We kindly ask those applicants who have the means to do so, to please share in their own travel expenses so we may be able to assist as many applicants as possible.

• All scholarships will be limited to CRC patients/survivors, their caregivers and family members.
• Special preference will be given to first time patient/survivor attendees and newly diagnosed attendees.
• Applicants must live in the United States.
• Scholarships shall be awarded at the discretion of the Colon Cancer Alliance, and shall be fair and equal in all of its selection processes for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
• All scholarships will be awarded on a “first come” basis during the online registration process until funds are exhausted.
• Each attendee will need to apply separately and pay a $50 registration fee.
• The Colon Cancer Alliance reserves the right to adjust the award amounts and/or discontinue scholarships in case of extenuating circumstances.
• Unless financial hardship results, all air travel scholarship recipients will pick up their reimbursement checks on-site during the conference. Hardship cases who cannot wait for reimbursement, will be handled on a case by case basis after they request to have reimbursement checks mailed to them.

Air Travel Scholarships

Air Travel Scholarships award amounts outlined below are designed to offer as many travel scholarships as possible. Air travel Scholarships award amounts will be the maximum dollar amount listed below or the actual airfare (whichever is less). Any difference between award amount and actual air fare will be responsibility of attendee.

Travel scholarships will occur on a reimbursement basis. Recipients will be required to book and pay for their own travel. Recipients will receive an email which will include complete details about the reimbursement process. Travel insurance is strongly encouraged.

Parking Scholarships

“Parking” scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $36, and are intended for those attendees driving to the conference and cover hotel parking rates of $18 a day. Successful parking recipients will be given a voucher on site so the hotel will charge their parking to the Colon Cancer Alliance.

Successful lodging scholarship recipients will receive two-night accommodations at the conference hotel and will be required to share a room with another lodging scholarship recipient.

• If your family member/caregiver also receives a lodging scholarship, you will be roomed together.

• If you would like to request another lodging scholarship recipient or attendee as your roommate, please request so in the registration process. If not, every attempt will be made to create room pairings based on gender and age.

Any additional nights beyond the 2 nights awarded will be the responsibility of the recipient. Lodging scholarships do not include incidentals such as phone calls, movies, room service and mini bar. Successful recipients will receive an email with their room reservation and roommate information. If you receive a lodging scholarship, please do not make a room reservation; your room reservations will be made for you.

You may apply for scholarships during the online registration process here: register online. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted.

Yes. Air travel, parking, and lodging scholarship recipients will be electronically notified with additional forms, instructions and timelines to complete the award process. Please pay careful attention to scholarship award emails, as well associated timelines and due dates. All reimbursement forms and receipts must be returned to the Colon Cancer Alliance per established due dates before any travel scholarships will be considered final.

Successful air travel recipients will pick up their checks on-site at the conference registration desk. Hardship cases can elect to have reimbursement checks mailed to them.

Successful parking recipients will receive their parking vouchers on-site at the conference registration desk.

We understand that many attendees rely on the availability of a scholarship to attend and we will make every effort to expedite the scholarship approval and mailing process.

No, transportation to and from other hotels is not provided.

Lodging Scholarship recipients will be required to share a room. If you have a roommate preference who is a loved one OR who is also a scholarship recipient, please indicate your preference during the scholarship application process. If you do not have a preference, you will have a roommate selected for you.

If you a general attendee (not a lodging scholarship recipient) and:

• already have a non-scholarship roommate in mind, simply connect with that person and book your hotel together.
• are looking for a roommate to share costs, please email Nancy Butterfield at NButterfield@ccalliance.org with a request a roommate.

We recommend flying-in to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport which is located sixteen miles (25 minutes) from the hotel.

No hotel shuttle is available to and from the airport. Uber and Taxi service are available to/from the airport for approximately $20 to $40 respectively.

Yes, a variety of social events and activities are planned for attendees. Attendance is optional.

Evening Social Receptions:
There will be two evening “social” reception activities that will occur in the Six Continents Room located on the second floor. The first will be an arrival evening mixer on Tuesday (10/31) and the second will be our Survivor’s Reception on Wednesday (11/1) evening.

Patient and Survivors Support Group:
On Wednesday (11/1) morning before the opening session, we are excited to announce that there will be a “meet and share” Patient and Survivors Support Group from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This optional special “town-hall” event will be hosted by Jeannie Moore, Colon Cancer Alliance Patient and Family Support Navigator. The Support Group is open to all attendees. Please come share, listen and hear others’ stories.

• Tuesday evening welcoming mixer: snacks and light hors d’oeuvres
• Wednesday morning light and healthy breakfast
• Wednesday lunch
• Wednesday evening Survivor’s Reception: food and hors d’oeuvres
• Thursday morning light and healthy breakfast

Dress attire is business casual or Resort Casual.

Survivor’s Reception is festive get-your-blue-on attire. We recommend to dressing up for this blue bash!