Press Release

SAYREVILLE – Five years ago, the Sayreville community was rocked when Rose Hausmann passed away from her 12-year fight with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Hausmann had been committed to sharing her story to generate local and national awareness of CRC. She and her husband Eric were both loud advocates on Capitol Hill alongside Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). Today, five years after her passing, Eric continues her fight as a national advocate and serves as the vice-chair on the Fight CRC board of directors.

“Being a caregiver puts you at ground zero of this disease and I continue to fight to ensure ALL have a voice, a cure must be found,” said Eric. 

Before her diagnosis, Rose was active in Sayreville as a former parole officer, standup comic, wife, grandmother, and mom of four children. She and Eric had raised CRC awareness in the community alongside hospitals and other local groups, but they took their efforts national when they joined the Fight CRC, eager to make change happen.

They first attended Call-on Congress, an annual event in Washington D.C. hosted by Fight CRC in 2008. Since that year, they never missed a Call-on Congress, and New Jersey lawmakers commented on their memorable appearances on the Hill each year. In 2015, after being discharged from the hospital hours prior, Rose and Eric drove to D.C. so they could take action. They were leaders amongst Fight CRC’s Grassroots Advocate Committee, a group of committed advocates who offer insights into Fight CRC’s legislative priorities and engage grassroots advocates. 

“We, alongside Eric, made a promise to Rose to keep fighting until there is a cure for colorectal cancer, and we will keep that promise. I am forever a better advocate because of her,” said Fight CRC President and Rose’s friend Anjee Davis. 

The Hausmann duo forever changed the Fight CRC community. As Eric continues to honor the legacy of Rose and raise awareness for CRC, he hopes other caregivers will find a community of support in the organization.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, dedicated to recognizing and honoring family caregivers across the country. This month, national nonprofit organization, Fight CRC is sharing caregiver stories, educating communities on the issues that caregivers face, and increasing support for caregivers. 

To see all of Fight CRC’s caregiver resources, visit FightCRC.org/caregiver.

*Photos Submitted