Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Working with our nation of passionate allies, we exist to end colore**al cancer within our lifetime. Newly diagnosed or need support?
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Call us at (877) 422-2030 or visit colore**alcancer.org.

"At age 31, GI problems had become the norm for me, so I ignored them. Pain was normal as an athlete, and I downplayed t...
06/18/2026

"At age 31, GI problems had become the norm for me, so I ignored them. Pain was normal as an athlete, and I downplayed that too, thinking, “Have I gotten soft?” The occasional shooting pain became more pronounced, and then I started seeing blood in my stool.

I was stressed. I had just been released and was starting fresh with a new team. I was working full-time while traveling with the team. There was no time to think about it. But then the season ended and the symptoms got worse, I couldn’t eat, I lost weight, and I was bedridden most days. I pushed for a colonoscopy because I knew where the symptoms were pointing. I was often dismissed as 'too young.'

After multiple appointments and countless calls, I was finally scheduled for a colonoscopy. I remember waking up and the doctor telling me they found a tumor, and I was diagnosed with stage III (T3N2) colore**al cancer. After that, I honestly don’t remember much, other than feeling like I was watching my own life as a spectator. It was two agonizing months before I was able to start immunotherapy. I had gone from playing semi-pro baseball just five months prior to barely being able to lift myself out of bed to use the bathroom.

Slowly, with treatment, I began to notice a change in my energy. I remember bragging to my mom that I did five pull-ups and 10 push-ups after months of doing nothing. I still don’t know how my friends and family put up with me. I was so negative and angry. My parents would just sit silently while I angrily cursed the world for my situation. They never judged me; they just offered their support and love. I truly don’t think I would have had the strength to keep going without the support of my family and my faith.

I’m truly blessed that I qualified for immunotherapy, and I’m grateful for the medical teams in Michigan and Nebraska. I had successful surgery in September 2025 to remove what was left of the tumor and affected lymph nodes.

If nothing else, I hope this story inspires those who are in the midst of their own path with colore**al cancer to keep going." - Sean B.

It's easy to dismiss symptoms when life gets busy. It's Men's Health Week — visit getscreened.org to learn more about your screening options and to take a short quiz.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting brought together the brightest minds in cancer research, and th...
06/17/2026

The American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting brought together the brightest minds in cancer research, and the Alliance was there. At 4 pm ET on June 24, we’re breaking down advances for colore**al cancer patients, plus sharing what we accomplished on the ground in Chicago, including the launch of KLEOS, our own clinical trial platform to accelerate cures.

Register here 👉 https://streamyard.com/watch/D4uYWYzEK2bR

This presentation is supported by Amgen.

06/16/2026

A colonoscopy is a routine screening to prevent and detect colore**al cancer. If you have any questions about the process, give us a call on our free helpline at 877-422-2030.

Senator Edward J. Markey and Senator Amy Klobuchar, alongside Congressman André Carson, introduced the Asal Sayas Natio...
06/15/2026

Senator Edward J. Markey and Senator Amy Klobuchar, alongside Congressman André Carson, introduced the Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act — a critical step toward addressing the alarming rise of cancer diagnoses among adults under 50.

Named in honor of Asal Sayas, a dedicated advocate who lost her life to colore**al cancer at age 42, this legislation would establish a comprehensive national strategy to improve awareness, research, screening access, diagnosis, treatment, and support for young adults facing cancer.

As young-onset cancers continue to rise, bold action is needed. The Alliance is proud to endorse this legislation and support efforts that will help save lives, improve outcomes, and honor those lost too soon.

"The rise in colore**al cancer deaths and overall cancer incidence among young adults is one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time," said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Alliance.

Learn more about the legislation and join us in advocating for a future where fewer young adults face a cancer diagnosis 👉 https://bit.ly/PR-AsalSayas

"At age 76, I declined a colonoscopy — a decision I now deeply regret. I never imagined colore**al cancer would affect m...
06/15/2026

"At age 76, I declined a colonoscopy — a decision I now deeply regret. I never imagined colore**al cancer would affect me, and I certainly never expected to spend the next several years focused on surviving it.

Two years later, I began experiencing discomfort and occasional sharp pain in my lower abdomen. One afternoon, the pain suddenly became much worse, and I was admitted to the hospital for testing. After an MRI, CT scan, colonoscopy, and biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage IIIC colore**al cancer. The tumor was so large that doctors could not fully examine the rest of my colon during the procedure.

My medical team explained that the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, and I began treatment immediately. I underwent chemotherapy with FOLFOX, followed by radiation and additional chemotherapy. The treatments were extremely difficult, but after several months, scans showed the tumor had shrunk enough for surgery.

Throughout treatment, the support of my wife, our family, and close friends carried me forward. Their encouragement, prayers, and presence helped me through some of the hardest moments of my path with colore**al cancer. During this time, I also began writing about my experience, which I later turned into a memoir.

Today, surviving colore**al cancer has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I want others to understand the very real impact this disease can have on patients and families, and the importance of screening.

I encourage everyone to talk with their doctor about getting screened for colore**al cancer beginning at age 45, even if they do not have symptoms or a family history. Screening can save lives." - Mikel M.

This , learn more about your screening options and take a short quiz at getscreened.org.

When Helen was diagnosed with metastatic re**al cancer, her care team’s biggest concern was the cancer that had spread t...
06/14/2026

When Helen was diagnosed with metastatic re**al cancer, her care team’s biggest concern was the cancer that had spread to her liver. Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy offered a new path forward, but her hospital did not yet offer it.

Through research, advocacy, and a deep commitment to understanding her options, Helen championed the effort to bring HAI therapy to her hospital and became the first to receive it there. Today, she encourages others to stay hopeful, ask questions, and take responsibility for their own care.

Read Helen’s story of hope: https://bit.ly/Blog-HAI-Helen

This patient story is supported by our partner, Boston Scientific.

06/11/2026

"That won't happen to me because I'm young" is a common thought. If you're experiencing symptoms at any age, talk to your doctor about getting screened for colore**al cancer. Visit getscreened.org to learn more about your screening options and take a short quiz.

Colore**al cancer is now the number one cause of cancer related deaths in adults under age 50. Have questions? Give us a call on our free helpline at 877-422-2030.

"Just four months after getting engaged and days after buying my dress, I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office hear...
06/10/2026

"Just four months after getting engaged and days after buying my dress, I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the word “cancer.” What should have been a season of cake tastings and seating charts, quickly turned into surgeries and treatment schedules.

I underwent surgery to remove a tumor from my sigmoid colon, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy to treat Stage III Colon Cancer. Through it all, my medical team focused on helping me reach one important milestone: my wedding day. The treatments were physically and emotionally exhausting, but I held on to the hope that I would still be able to walk down the aisle.

Despite everything cancer put my body through, I walked down the aisle not just as a bride, but as a survivor.

Today, I share my story to remind others that colore**al cancer can affect young people and that early detection can save lives. I’m especially grateful for the nurse practitioner who listened to my symptoms and encouraged me to get a colonoscopy, despite my young age. That decision helped catch my cancer early enough for treatment to be successful.

If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Advocate for yourself. Early detection can save your life." - Michelle G.

Colore**al cancer is the #1 cause of cancer related death in adults under 50.

Let's put an end to this trend. Your gift is matched 2X during the month of June. Make a gift and double your impact 👉 https://bit.ly/26-NCSM-FB

Colore**al cancer is the #1 cause of cancer related death in adults under 50. Colore**al cancer is not an old man's dis...
06/09/2026

Colore**al cancer is the #1 cause of cancer related death in adults under 50. Colore**al cancer is not an old man's disease.

Let's put an end to this trend. Your gift is matched 2X during the month of June. Make a gift and double your impact 👉 https://bit.ly/26-NCSM-FB

"March 22, 2024 is a date I will never forget.I was diagnosed with stage IV colore**al cancer, and the only symptom I ha...
06/08/2026

"March 22, 2024 is a date I will never forget.

I was diagnosed with stage IV colore**al cancer, and the only symptom I had was blood in my stool. No pain. No other signs. Nothing that would have made you think something serious was going on. But I trusted my gut, pushed for a colonoscopy, and that decision changed everything.

From there, my life became a series of treatments and milestones: I had a lung resection to remove a wedge of my right lung where the cancer had spread. I went through 5 rounds of chemotherapy and completed 25 sessions of radiation.

It was aggressive, and there were moments that tested me in every way. But I stayed focused on getting through it - one step, one treatment, one day at a time.

Alongside my medical treatment, I supported my body with functional medicine, which helped me stay physically strong and keep going when things felt overwhelming.

On October 21, 2024, I rang the bell.

I am forever grateful to Memorial Sloan Kettering and my gastroenterologist for advocating for me, guiding me, and standing by me through every phase of this.

If sharing my story helps even one person, it’s this:
Listen to your body. Even subtle changes matter.
Advocate for yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable.
And hold onto your mindset, it can carry you through more than you think.

This is my story. And I’m still here." - Stephanie R.

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