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.
Kathi Heintzelman
"If you are diagnosed, find something to keep you busy after treatment by volunteering to be a voice."
Dana Gianfrancesco
"This journey is not easy, but it can be done with grace and peace. We need each other to get through this because only we understand the PTSD that is created from hearing, "You have cancer." Each stage has its own issues. Find your people."
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."
Yolanda Harris
"Be afraid of the unknown. Get screened because there is power in knowing. My husband would always tell me we are stronger together. My family and friends would tell me I don’t fight alone; we fight together."
Brad Franzen
"Be your own advocate. When I was first having symptoms three years beforehand, I wasn’t knowledgeable or motivated enough to get a second opinion. If you think something is wrong, push for screening."
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."
Welda Varela
"Never, ever give up. Your attitude is 50% of the fight."
Jennifer VanMeter
"You are worth it and turn your pain into a purpose to help others. Never give up. Allow yourself grace and lean on others."
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!"
Kris Sharp
"You are stronger than you think! Even if it’s getting up off the couch to change the TV channel, you are strong!"
Kristin Koval
"You're stronger than you know."
Sarah Dean
"In conclusion, make sure you laugh! It might be an old saying, but it’s true: "Laughter is the best medicine." Also, take care of your mental health, too! When you’re ready, seek out therapy to help process everything."
Help Write the Next Chapter
We encourage anyone with a colorectal cancer story to share.
