Carrying the Torch: From Colorectal Cancer Survivor to Advocate

I haven’t written a blog in a while because I have been processing the deaths of several longtime friends that have won their battle with cancer. They fought hard against a disease that came at them in the prime of theirlives. All of these men helped me at a time in my life when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer.

When I was diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer seven years ago, I had just turned 50 years old. I had been ignoring what I found were symptoms of this disease for a couple of years. I just wasn’t ready to face the cancer that I found was living inside me, especially in the prime of my own life.

As I was dealing with an unexpected diagnosis, I started reaching out to a few cancer survivors in a couple of social media groups that offer support with my diagnosis. All of these men would offer to support me and answer my questions as a newly diagnosed patient. I couldn’t help but wonder how to tell my kids that I have cancer. How do I console my partner as I deal with my own diagnosis? Where do I seek emotional support and who do I ask for treatment advice in my fight?

All of these men took the time to answer my questions and offer me advice about my own cancer journey. As the years progressed, they would inspire me to follow a path of advocacy and to support others in the same fight. I got the chance to get to know these men over the years as we worked on multiple advocacy programs together, both online and in person. We created a legacy together of support for others in the same fight.

As I move into the new year, I begin to plan out how to carry that desire to advocate for others in the cancer fight with me. I will continue to build upon the legacy that was created for me by these incredible men. Their cancer journeys will survive within me as I support others in the fight against cancer. I won’t let the burden of survivor’s guilt stop me from offering the same support given to me.

As my friend and long-term cancer survivor, Trevor Maxwell, who happens to be the founder of the nonprofit manuptocancer.org, once told me, “The pain we feel in losing them is only eclipsed by the joy we have from knowing them.”

As a survivor, it’s become my pure joy to continue the legacy of these men as the COO of that same nonprofit today. Through my work with the nonprofit, I’m able to offer support to men in the fight with cancer every day as I enjoy a life cancer-free. I know it’s what each of these men would want for me.

If you know a man needing emotional support in the battle with cancer, encourage him to reach out and ask for support. No one should face cancer alone if they choose not to.

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