A dad is a hero: Whether we look up to him as a child or see eye to eye with him as we grow. We never stop admiring our dad’s strength and knowledge.

Dads teach us about life through their words and actions, but also through their quiet determination, persistence, and perseverance. Today, we are celebrating dads who are making a difference through advocating for policy changes and whose actions are more steps on the path to a cure for CRC.

Wishing all dads out there -- near and far -- a very Happy Father’s Day! 

Eric Zobl Advocates for Others After His Own Cancer Diagnosis 

Eric Zobl from Kimball, MI, is a husband, married for 24 years, and a father to two sons. He also is a stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) survivor. Recently, Zobl participated in Fight Colorectal Cancer’s (Fight CRC) Day of Action alongside hundreds of CRC survivors, caregivers, and loved ones urging local lawmakers to support policy changes to improve patient lives and increase CRC research funding. 

Zobl virtually met with his policymakers, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Gary Peters, and Rep. Lisa McClain, to share his story, ask for support, and explain that now is the time to act to change the statistics around CRC. He hopes that by joining these efforts, lawmakers will designate more funding to CRC research and that other fathers like him will find the resources, support, and hope they need as they fight for their lives.

“It was my first time and I wasn't sure how they would go, but the members of Congress and the staff we met with were great,” said Zobl. “They really cared about hearing our stories and appreciated us advocating for CRC awareness and research. I look forward to following up with them soon.”

Zobl was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer in June 2018, just shy of his 48th birthday, when his sons were ages 14 and 18. He experienced minor CRC symptoms for several months before seeing a doctor. Upon hearing his symptoms, his doctor immediately recommended a colonoscopy, even though Zobl wasn’t yet 50. A tumor was discovered during his procedure and after consultation with his colorectal surgeon, Dr. Scott Steele at the Cleveland Clinic, the recommendation was for Zobl to have surgery for a temporary ileostomy, which was later reversed. “I was fortunate to have been screened before the cancer progressed further,” said Zobl.

Colon and rectal cancers are on the rise for those under the age of 50. A recent JAMA study predicts that by 2030, CRC will be the leading cause of cancer deaths for those ages 20-49. Research is critical to understanding why more and more young people are being diagnosed with CRC. 

“I saw how passionate Fight CRC is about advocating for screening, prevention, and research for a cure,” said Zobl. “I became an advocate with Fight CRC to help raise awareness, increase access to screening, and make research a priority so we can end CRC -- for my sons and so many others.”

Steve Green Relentlessly Advocates for More Research After Battling Stage IV Cancer 

Steve Greene is a father of three, a board member for Fight CRC, and a stage IV CRC survivor who was diagnosed at age 43. Since his diagnosis, Greene has not stopped raising awareness within the Nashville community, as well as nationally, alongside Fight CRC. 

As a patient with early-age onset CRC (EAO CRC), which refers to colon or rectal cancer in patients under age 50, Greene is alarmed by recent data in the JAMA publication. Greene will be participating in Fight CRC’s upcoming Rally on Research June 24-25, 2021, a global event focusing on what needs to be done to further EAO CRC research so other dads can avoid the same pain. 

Greene’s story started in November 2012 when he visited the doctor after noticing some unusual symptoms. He wasn’t immediately worried about the symptoms since he was healthy and active. Greene’s doctors recommended a colonoscopy, which revealed he had stage IV CRC. Greene and his family were shocked by this diagnosis, which came just three years after his father passed away from prostate cancer. 

Greene was relentless in his fight and felt comfort in his medical team’s skills. He was also encouraged by the support of his family, neighbors, church community, and the Fight CRC advocate community. Greene finished his last chemotherapy treatment in January 2014. Although the possibility of recurrence is always in the back of his mind, he stays hopeful in his survivorship journey. 

“It was a shock to hear the doctor tell me I had cancer when I was 43 years old,” said Greene. “Today, it’s a true blessing to be able to share my story and be involved with a great organization like Fight CRC to raise awareness. CRC is preventable in so many cases if we know our family history, pay attention to symptoms, and get screened. Forty-five is the new 50. Don’t wait to get screened!”

While approximately 90% of CRC cases occur in people over the age of 50, since the mid-1990s, the number of new cases of CRC in those under age 50 increased by about 51%. There have been incremental increases of 2% per year in patients younger than age 55.

This is such an alarming problem, the national task force that determines when patients should be screened recently updated its guidelines to say patients without any symptoms should begin screening at age 45, not 50.  

“This is a global problem and the numbers are growing,” said Andrea (Andi) Dwyer of the University of Colorado Cancer Center and advisor to Fight CRC Research and Patient Education. “To continue the research, international collaborations are key to understanding this disease.” 

Katie Zahner, CPA, MBA, Gives Back To Honor Her Father’s Cancer Fight

Katie Zahner, CPA, MBA, an Audit Partner with Brown Smith Wallace, serves as the Board Treasurer of Fight CRC in honor of her father, a stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) survivor who was diagnosed in 2010. This year marks the 11th Father’s Day she's spent with her dad since his diagnosis.

“I got involved in this cause to honor my dad’s fight and so no other family has to endure the same experiences as our family,” said Zahner.

Zahner is grateful to be celebrating her father. Despite the odds, he's lived well past the 5-year mark following his stage IV diagnosis and today’s he’s in remission with no evidence of disease. 

Part of Zahner’s work involves supporting Fight CRC’s team as it seeks to maintain its 4-star charity status through Charity Navigator and Platinum designation from GuideStar. Zahner’s helping Fight CRC deliver on its commitment to providing cause-driven programs, impactful research investments, and financial transparency. In addition to her role on the board, Zahner’s committed to getting the word out about CRC to the Ballwin, Missouri community and beyond.

Doctors found Zahner’s father’s cancer following a colonoscopy when he was 58 years old. She understands the power of prevention and is sharing her story so no one fights alone.

Dad and Daughter, David and Kimberly Wright, Urge Fathers to Get Colorectal Cancer Screenings 

David Wright and his daughter Kimberly have a unique father-daughter bond: They’re both CRC survivors and advocates at Fight CRC. Since their diagnoses, they’ve been committed to using their stories to raise awareness of CRC. This Father’s Day, their mission continues. They’re speaking out to encourage other families, especially dads, to not delay CRC screening. 

Wright was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at age 52 in January 2008 after a routine colonoscopy. After his daughter began experiencing symptoms less than two years after his diagnosis, Kimberly also saw a doctor who recommended a colonoscopy. In a moment of shock, at age 27, she was also diagnosed with stage III CRC. 

To their surprise, three genetic tests have all indicated the tumors of their cancers are not linked, and that Kimberly likely inherited a genetic mutation from her mothers’ side. But watching his daughter face a cancer that also threatened his life is an experience that both challenged and directed Wright’s life.

“Kimberly’s cancer was a crisis that genuinely tested the strength and depth of my faith,” Wright wrote in The Slate. “As much as I did not care to go through cancer myself, God actually used my experience to prepare me to be the best dad possible for Kimberly, in order to help her better fight her cancer and deal with the fear that she could die. I witnessed God at work and know that He is truly in control of everything.”

This Father’s Day, as loved ones honor the dads in their lives, the Wrights are encouraging all fathers to make sure their health checks are up-to-date, especially in light of the COVID-19 delays. According to Dr. Ned Sharpless at the National Cancer Institute, because so many cancer screenings were put off in 2020, researchers expect an increased mortality by at least 10,000 deaths from breast cancer and CRC over the next 10 years.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recently said that all people of average-risk need to begin screening for CRC at age 45. Those with a higher risk—meaning a history of bowel disease, family history of CRC or polyps, genetic syndrome—need to be screened earlier. Anyone experiencing signs or symptoms should be evaluated immediately, regardless of age.

---

For other ways to engage with us this summer: Join Fight CRC this week for Rally on Research: Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer | June 24-25. Connect with other advocates, hear from researchers, and be part of the path to a cure for CRC during these two days filled with inspiring content. Rally on Research on June 24-25 will continue building a global research network and agenda to address EAO CRC with support of researchers, clinicians, patient advocates and other advocacy group leaders from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Europe, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, and Serbia. Rally on Research is free to attend, but you must register.

Join Climb for a Cure | August 22 to scale an actual mountain or walk the small inclines of your neighborhood sidewalks or a nearby wooded path, get active and raise funds for colon and rectal cancers. This year, we have three ways to climb, in addition to fundraising: Lake Tahoe, CA; Community Climbs; and Create Your Own Climb.

Anyone who has been impacted by colon or rectal cancer is encouraged to become an advocate. For more information and to sign up, visit FightCRC.org/advocacy.  

Happy Father’s Day! 

Make a donation in honor or memory of your father today.