In July of 2015 at the age of 27, my oldest brother was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, with no previous signs or symptoms. My brother had genetic testing done and it showed that he had mutations in one copy of the MLH1 gene.

He passed away after 6 months battling cancer, a few weeks after his 28th birthday and 2 days after Christmas.

That same year, I found at at the age of 23 through genetic screening that I have a genetic mutation in the MLH1 gene, which means I have Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome.)

It is important for me to be a Fight CRC Ambassador because I want to change the way others view Colorectal Cancer. As a caregiver to my brother, in that moment there was so much that I didn’t know and understand, and looking back now I wish I had known about Fight CRC. The amount of compassion and care that each ambassador showed me and my first Call on Congress was amazingly life changing.

As an ambassador, there is so much more that I can do with an army of dedicated people who know and understand the entire aspect of what it means to FIGHT. Being an ambassador means the world to me and gives me the opportunity to change the future for generations of individuals that have a family history of colorectal cancer, as well as a genetic mutation such as Lynch Syndrome. I can unlock doors for others in my community and around the world that will empower, enable, equip and encourage them for the journey that’s ahead that they are currently on.

I want to continue to spread awareness while honoring my brother and showing my family that colorectal cancer doesn’t have to be the end of his story. The impact of advocacy doesn’t stop because we lose loved ones along the ways. There’s definitely a long road ahead, and we have more steps to take, and although it can be an uphill battle.