I am a stage 4 young-onset colon cancer survivor. My journey began just a couple of months after turning 40, when my daughter was only 2 and my son was 8. Like so many others, my symptoms were initially misdiagnosed—I was told I had gallbladder stones. But after an ER visit, I received the life-changing news: stage 4 colon cancer. In that moment, my world and my family’s lives changed forever.

At the time of my diagnosis, the tumors on my liver were too large for immediate surgery. I underwent six rounds of chemotherapy with Avastin, which successfully shrank the tumors enough for me to have a colon and liver resection. After recovering from surgery, I continued with another six rounds of chemo, and I was declared NED (No Evidence of Disease).

Unfortunately, a year later, my cancer returned with new tumors on the other side of my liver. My oncologist decided against more chemo, believing it hadn’t been effective in eliminating the cancer the first time. Instead, I was sent directly to my liver surgeon for another resection. The surgery was a success, though not without complications. But since then, I have remained NED.

Cancer was not a new experience for me—I had previously been diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma at age 32, shortly after my son was born. Thankfully, it was caught early and removed, and I have had no recurrence. Despite my history, I have no known genetic mutations or family history of cancer.

When I was first diagnosed, I felt incredibly alone. I didn’t know any other young people facing this disease, and I struggled with the isolation that came with it. It wasn’t until I discovered Fight Colorectal Cancer that I finally found a community that welcomed me with open arms. For the first time, I felt like I belonged.

Now, my mission is to spread that love and support to others. I want every survivor, caregiver, and loved one to know that they are not alone. I want to give them hope and strength for the future. I am committed to advocating for colorectal cancer to be a priority for lawmakers and medical researchers. I also want to raise awareness among medical professionals—especially to ensure that women’s concerns are taken seriously and not dismissed.

This journey has been difficult, but it has also given me purpose. Together, we can make a difference.