Patient & Caregiver Stories
Behind every colorectal diagnosis is a human confronting the unthinkable. In our Champion Stories Hub, you’ll find colon cancer stories and rectal cancer stories. Fight CRC works to ensure nobody fights alone.
Kristie Reimann
“The most important thing is to keep living life!” and “Don’t give up without a fight.”
Michael Holtz
"As a relentless champion you have a voice in the conversation about colorectal cancer. Use it however you can — to encourage screening, to encourage better treatments, to talk to members of the media, to share your story with any audience you can, to talk to members of Congress, etc."
Loralee Lovell
"It is scary! But, we all have one life to live and I want it to be a good one – despite this horrible diagnosis! I have also surrounded myself with other colon cancer fighters who are encouraging, and we check up on each other a lot via social media. That’s been helpful as well."
Carol Koch
"Don’t be shy or embarrassed to talk about colon and rectal cancer. It’s something everyone needs to be aware of and tested for. Early detection can save your life!"
Zoe Durant
You are your only advocate against a silent killer. Keep going to the doctor and demand treatment. You know your body best. Don’t let them blame your symptoms on other things. Are you more afraid of the medication or the monster inside you?
Bryan Wenger
"If you ever need someone to talk to, don't be afraid to seek out someone."
Natalie Riede
"I discovered the power of guided meditation, hypnosis, and talking therapy, which all gave me the tools I needed to be able to process my emotions, release stress, and anxiety and start living my life again."
Erik Pontius
"A good piece of advice I learned was to stay positive and optimistic. Cancer is very much a mental game as it is a physical fight. That advice stuck with me and helped me through my cancer journey."
William (Ronny) Day
"Try to stay strong and pray a lot! I'm a prime example of it, I wanted to quit many times, but I refused to let cancer control me. We are survivors!"
Ruth Savard
The best gift you can give, to yourself and to others, is to get involved and to share your story. Everyone has their own journey, but you never know who is on a similar path and could benefit from hearing your story. Connecting with other advocates, patients, and survivors through organizations like Fight CRC not only brings a wealth of resources, but it also provides you with understanding, support, friendship, love, and encouragement from those who understand it better than anyone else, because they have lived it too. Don't go through this journey alone.
Catherine Martin
It's easy to equate cancer with death, especially in a late-stage diagnosis. DON’T. Use your resources, find a support group, and seek out additional options. And don’t give up.
Meredith Huetter
I am a very independent person. It was tough for me to ask for help or accept help during treatment. However, our caregivers are amazing. No one knows what to say or do in a given situation. Just accept and be open to the support.
Help Write the Next Chapter
We encourage anyone with a colorectal cancer story to share.
