With Mother’s Day around the corner, we are humbled to share the stories of some of the incredible moms in our survivor community.
Too many women – mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers – are being diagnosed with this disease, and not all stories end in survivorship. Colorectal cancer does not discriminate. It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women. This year alone will witness approximately 70,000 newly diagnosed cases of colon and rectal cancers in women. And the number of these cases in both women and men under age 50 is growing.
Women who are in the prime years of motherhood are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a rate that is increasing every year. Through our Annual Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Summit, we are working with the world’s leading researchers and physicians to combat this alarming trend. But there is so much more work to be done.
In anticipation of Mother’s Day this year, we hope you will read Gina’s inspiring story below and consider a donation – in honor of Gina or in honor or someone you know and love who has been affected by this terrible disease. Together we can ensure that Mother’s Day remains a happy holiday for generations to come.
Here is Gina’s story of how her battle with colon cancer has shifted her perspective on motherhood.
GINA NERI
Gina Neri, stage 3b colon cancer survivor and mother of three
Gina’s children: Aiden, Dylan, and Gianna Hope
I was diagnosed with Stage 3b colon cancer at the age of 39. I was feeling great but bled rectally once and presented to my doctor to get checked out. That week, I learned I was pregnant with my third child and that I had colon cancer. It was the scariest week of my life. The first thought that crossed my mind was if I die, my children will have to grow up without a mother. It was devastating to think I wouldn’t be there for them and that they would be hurt and sad. I didn’t think I could love my children any more, until I was diagnosed with colon cancer. My love grew from the second I was diagnosed and every day during my battle. The love I had for my children gave me strength to fight and to live another day. I cherished my children before I was diagnosed with colon cancer, but my love and bond is so much greater now!
I am a stronger person and mother now. Being a survivor gave me a better appreciation for life and more perspective on what’s really important in life.
To make a donation in honor of Gina or a spectacular survivor in your life,
click here.
2018 Team Colon Cancer Challenge TCS NYC Marathoners Rock!
Congratulations to the members of Team Colon Cancer Challenge who conquered the TCS NYC Marathon this year! We are so grateful for the incredible spirit and fundraising efforts put forth by this team. Together, our team blazed past our fundraising goal to surpass $107,000! And every single member crossed the finish line on November 4.
On Marathon Eve, CCF hosted a team dinner at Covina. It was a wonderful evening of conversation and carbohydrates. Team members got the chance to meet each other and connect with CCF staff and our founder, Dr. Thomas Weber. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!
Our international team came together from Hong Kong, Paris, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and other corners of the country and the world – including, of course, NYC. This diverse group of runners comprised a colorectal cancer surgeon, children of survivors, and other relatives and caregivers of survivors and those who lost their fight. Hearing our runners’ stories (check them out on our Crowdrise site) reminds us all that we are a long way from the finish line in the battle against colorectal cancer. But we cannot let ourselves hit the wall at mile 20. We must keep going.
Events like the NYC Marathon are critical to achieving our annual fundraising goals so we are able to continue such important initiatives as our Annual Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Summit. Through the Summit we are able to support and share the latest research into the causes and treatment of colorectal cancer. We WILL get to the bottom of this (so to speak) and we are proud to have such incredible athletes and advocates on our side.
Interested in joining Team Colon Cancer Challenge? Check out our events page for information about the 2019 NYC Half Marathon, as well as other upcoming events. Like to spin? Join us and our Young Leadership Board on December 2 for the Ride for Research at Swerve!
Many thanks again to our incredible 2018 TCS NYC Marathon team. We hope you enjoy a well-deserved Thanksgiving feast this year!
A Watershed Moment for EAO-CRC: ACS Drops Screening Age to 45
It was the drop heard ’round the colorectal cancer world.
On Wednesday the American Cancer Society released a study in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians recommending that colorectal cancer screenings should begin at age 45 – instead of age 50 – for those at average risk. The Colon Cancer Foundation has been in the trenches, championing research into the alarming rise of early-age onset colorectal cancer (EAO-CRC) for over a decade; so for us and so many other organizations and individuals in this fight, this is a watershed moment that is going to have a profound impact on the colorectal cancer landscape.
This is the first time that a prominent cancer organization has officially recognized that EAO-CRC is no fluke but a tragic and universal phenomenon that needs to be addressed immediately. 43% of EAO-CRC cases occur in those aged 45-49. If this new guideline becomes the norm, an estimated 22 million Americans can be screened, and thousands of lives will be saved.
As Dr. Thomas Weber, our founder and President, stated in an interview with The New York Times, “This is a very, very big deal. Solid epidemiological data from our national cancer registries documents a dramatic increase in the incidence of colon and especially rectal cancer among individuals under the age of 50, and the vast majority of those cases are in the 40- to 49-year-old age bracket.”
Dr. Thomas Weber addresses the crowd at the 4th Annual EAO-CRC Summit in NYC
The adoption of the revised ACS screening guideline will be a major step toward reversing the upward trend of EAO-CRC cases. In addition, physicians will soon have the added support of the Risk Assessment and Screening Toolkit – the brainchild of CCF and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT). This toolkit was presented by Emily Edelman of the Jackson Laboratory at our 4th Annual EAO-CRC Summit held in April in NYC. It has been designed to give physicians much-needed resources and support to properly detect and treat colorectal cancer in those individuals with a family history of the disease; hereditary predispositions; as well as those under age 50.
We are hopeful that the powerful combination of the new ACS screening guidelines and the Risk Assessment and Screening Toolkit will help shift the tide of EAO-CRC. But there is still much work to be done. To learn more about the new ACS guidelines, click here. You can find more information about the 4th Annual EAO-CRC Summit here. To make a donation or get involved with CCF, please contact us!
In Celebration of Survivor Moms
With Mother’s Day around the corner, we are humbled to share the stories of some of the incredible moms in our survivor community.
Too many women – mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers – are being diagnosed with this disease, and not all stories end in survivorship. Colorectal cancer does not discriminate. It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women. This year alone will witness approximately 70,000 newly diagnosed cases of colon and rectal cancers in women. And the number of these cases in both women and men under age 50 is growing.
Women who are in the prime years of motherhood are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a rate that is increasing every year. Through our Annual Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Summit, we are working with the world’s leading researchers and physicians to combat this alarming trend. But there is so much more work to be done.
In anticipation of Mother’s Day this year, we hope you will read Gina’s inspiring story below and consider a donation – in honor of Gina or in honor or someone you know and love who has been affected by this terrible disease. Together we can ensure that Mother’s Day remains a happy holiday for generations to come.
Here is Gina’s story of how her battle with colon cancer has shifted her perspective on motherhood.
GINA NERI
Gina Neri, stage 3b colon cancer survivor and mother of three
Gina’s children: Aiden, Dylan, and Gianna Hope
I was diagnosed with Stage 3b colon cancer at the age of 39. I was feeling great but bled rectally once and presented to my doctor to get checked out. That week, I learned I was pregnant with my third child and that I had colon cancer. It was the scariest week of my life. The first thought that crossed my mind was if I die, my children will have to grow up without a mother. It was devastating to think I wouldn’t be there for them and that they would be hurt and sad. I didn’t think I could love my children any more, until I was diagnosed with colon cancer. My love grew from the second I was diagnosed and every day during my battle. The love I had for my children gave me strength to fight and to live another day. I cherished my children before I was diagnosed with colon cancer, but my love and bond is so much greater now!
15th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge Photo Gallery
The 15th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge rocked Randall’s Island on Sunday, March 25th. With twice as many participants as last year (and no snow!) we are excited to have cemented Randall’s Island and its iconic Icahn Stadium as the home of the Colon Cancer Challenge.
Our enthusiastic and dedicated participants raised over $57,000 to help us continue our mission of eradicating colorectal cancer through awareness, screening, prevention, and research.
Thank you to everyone who came out to join us!