Meet the One Million Strong- Joseph Munson from New York

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Champion Stories
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Meet Joseph

Patient / Survivor Port Crane, NY

Joseph's Story

I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at age 39. At the time of writing this, I have completed 4 out of 12 rounds of chemo therapy. Colon cancer does not run in my family. I am the first person in the family to get it. After undergoing genetic testing it was found that I have two mutated genes that contributed. I began experiencing abdominal pain Summer 2016. At first it felt like that bubbling feeling you get when you have diarrhea, without having actual diarrhea. I began experiencing an increase in abdominal pain over time, and had a colonoscopy Dec. 2016. That is when a malignant tumor was found in the sigmoid section of my colon. My mother delivered the news when I came out of my colonoscopy. I was initially in shock. Slowly it began to sink in just how serious the situation was. The gamut of emotions that followed led me toward a fierce determination to defeat this scourge and carry on with my life. I will walk my little girl down the aisle someday. I'm the father of four young children between the ages of 3 and 13. I am an elementary school teacher and can't wait to get back to my students!

Joseph's Advice

Keep your mind strong!

Join the One Million Strong Community

If you’ve been impacted by colorectal cancer, we need you! Join us and use your experience, your story and your voice to create real change. Join the One Million Strong by sharing your story. Next, see all the ways you can do something about this disease and take steps to get connected with our community. Come fight with us.