Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada Blog
Colon Cancer Survivor Takes Us on A Tour Through The Giant Colon
May 8th
Meet Jim Horner from Oshawa, Ontario. Jim is a Stage III Colon Cancer Survivor. Watch where he takes us? Bet you didn’t think you were going to tour a larger than life, unique and interactive giant colon today?
In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first…
May 4th
This Sunday, Paul Ceyssens will be lacing up his runners to participate in the BMO Vancouver Marathon in memory of his wife Laurel, in honour of his sister-in-law Bronwyn and in support of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC).
“I think everyone has heard of the assistance the CCAC provided our family when Laurel was ill, so it’s sufficient to say here that they made an enormous difference,” said Paul.
Training since Christmas, Paul was inspired by one of his local soccer coaches who is preparing for an ultra-marathon. Her words encouraged him to sign up for the run; ‘it’s still a finish even if it’s midnight. It can be pitch dark, they can be taking down all the signs and you can crawl across the line on your hands and knees.’ Despite it being Paul’s first marathon, he is hoping to do better than that.
His dedication reminds us that when there is a will, there is always a way.
“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
Vancouver Marathon Track
If you would like to sponsor Paul in his race on Sunday please follow the process below.
go to http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s50953
once you are there, select Donate Now (from the red boxes)
complete “donation amount”
select “donation frequency” (select “one-time donation”)
under “fund/designation”, click on the down arrow next to the red question mark to number 8
Survivor Series – Our Own Frank Pitman Shares His Story
May 1st
Frank at the start line of the Scotia Charity Challenge 5K Walk on April 29, 2012
In May 1999, my youngest sister Elaine was rushed to the emergency room at our local hospital complaining of abdominal pain. Later that evening she underwent urgent surgery to have her colon resected. She unfortunately had advanced colon cancer. Sadly, just one year later, on May 18, 2000, she died, at the young age of 44 years old.
The tragic loss of my youngest sister could have been avoided if she had been screened for colon cancer.
A few years later, when I was 55, a colonoscopy revealed that I too had colon cancer and I required extensive surgery. Thankfully, to date, the cancer has not reappeared.
I was so much luckier. However, having been present throughout my sister’s painful battle with colon cancer, I still ask myself why I wasn’t more proactive in getting screened long before I was diagnosed with the disease. I guess I felt that it was something that could only happen to someone else. Perhaps I was embarrassed at the thought of having a doctor examine me or perhaps I was unjustifiably afraid of getting screened…I guess, I was afraid of what they would actually find. How ridiculous!
Looking back, none of these reasons were worth delaying getting screened. The gravity of the physical and psychological trauma that I went through following my diagnosis, and the anxiety experienced by those close to me, far surpassed any possible concerns I could have had about getting screened. All the pain and suffering could have been avoided by detecting the disease even before it became a cancer.
Following my recovery, I felt I had to do something to prevent others from making the same mistakes that I made. I contacted the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, and asked how I could help. I entered the CCAC’s Cancer Coach training program, and have been a coach for the past since 2008.
Montrealers toured The Giant Colon at Salon Ma Santé – April 10-11
Apr 16th
The Giant Colon exhibit was present at the Salon Ma Santé event at Complexe Desjardins on April 10th and 11th to promote screening and awareness for colorectal cancer. Over 8,000 visitors entered the exhibit during the two days of the event to learn about nine different colon pathologies and to listen to a presentation on cancer prevention by our resident muppet scholar, Dr. Preventino.
CCAC staff were on site to answer questions from hundreds of keen visitors and to distribute educational material about colorectal cancer facts, screening, and symptoms. Numerous visitors stated that their experience at the 40ft long, 8ft tall exhibit helped to eliminate any reservations they had about speaking with their doctor about colorectal cancer and obtaining a colonoscopy.
Partners of the Giant Colon present at the event included Warnex Laboratories, Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Greater Montreal Foundation and the Opmedic clinic.
The CCAC hopes that this wildly successful event will continue in future years to raise awareness about colorectal cancer among thousands of Montrealers.
Survivor Series: “Aimes-tu la vie”
Mar 28th
Lorraine Cordeau, whose late husband, Canadian singer, musician and producer Georges Thurston, known as “Boule Noire,” was the CCAC’s spokesperson, shares her story of how the CCAC impacted their lives during his battle with colorectal cancer:
“When Georges was diagnosed with a Level IV Colorectal Cancer, Barry Stein called us right away to tell us about his own experience and the resources and the services offered by his association. This gesture truly encouraged Georges to pursue his treatments and myself to better understand what he was going through and how I could help.
What was so nice is that people came to him (Georges – who used his celebrity status to advocate for the CCAC) and said thank you, thanks to you I’ve been through some tests or colonoscopies and that saved my father etc. My husband was so pleased about it. And I was also thinking, what would I have done without the CCAC? They were so helpful throughout the whole ordeal.
And when he left us, he even had a very serene smile kind of saying …mission accomplished…
And I feel (like Georges) that we should all support the association and its mission in our own way.”
Survivor Series: “Optimism is better than despair”
Mar 21st
Special thanks to Patrick Connors – son of Jim Connors for sharing his father’s battle with Colorectal Cancer.
“For me, there was a time when it was merely a word. A scary, alien word, yes, but still just a word. Cancer. That time is a distant, innocent memory.
Six years ago, when Dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, that alien word invaded our family. Four years ago it took Dad away from us — his loving family and friends — amidst his prime.
Still scary but no longer alien, cancer has a different meaning to me now. It is too familiar and brings with it many intense associations, memories and feelings. Pain. Anger. Confusion. Stress. Anguish. Unrelenting longing.
But along with the negative associations, memories and feelings there is the positive.
First and foremost amongst these is the memory of how Dad chose to approach his condition. He was optimistic despite a bleak outlook, positive despite great pain, and was immensely concerned with how his illness and the chance of death would impact the lives of those who loved him. And he chose to help others with the same illness. He got involved in the CCAC and became an advocate. He pushed for greater awareness about colorectal cancer, for early screening programs and for funding for effective cancer drugs.
Dad believed in and supported the CCAC. Through education, support and advocacy the CCAC provides help to many individuals like Dad and families like ours. It is a positive balance during dreadfully negative times. I continue to support the CCAC after his death because its work provides me with hope for a day when people know full-well about the cancer word but know it in a way that is different — a way where cancer is less scary, less painful, and where the only stories are ones of survival.”
Survivor Series: “Life is full of challenges, but no challenge is insurmountable”
Mar 16th
Becky (Pink) de Champlain
“Colon cancer is often silent and insidious – I can attest to that. At only 30 years of age and with virtually no symptoms or family history I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. I owe a debt of gratitude to my family doctor who by accident (or perhaps divine intervention) ticked a box for a lab test on some routine bloodwork that came back suspicious for colon cancer. She, as well as several specialists, tried to reassure me that it was very unlikely that at my age I could have such a disease. But my insistence on having further testing was justified when a tumour was detected in my colon during a colonoscopy.
A whirlwind of more tests and doctor appointments followed. Despite metastases (tumours which spread outside the colon) being detected in my liver and lymph nodes, my doctors were confident that with surgery and chemotherapy I would have a good chance of overcoming this disease. And so it began. In February 2010 I had surgery to remove half my colon and two-thirds of my liver. After six weeks of recovery I started on a six month course of chemotherapy. This proved hard on my body and very challenging on my mind and spirit. On the bright side of things, the time off of work afforded me more time to spend with my young son (who was not even two when I was diagnosed) and when I felt well we enjoyed lots of quality time at our family cottage.
Now, two years later I am doing well and despite a setback last year when another tumour was found in my liver, the outlook remains good. It will be years before I know whether I am cancer free and so I continue to live on a roller-coaster of blood tests and scans searching for any signs of return of cancer in my body. I credit the support of dear friends, family and colleagues with helping me through the tough times. I am committed to fundraising and raising awareness of colon cancer screening. I have benefitted from the support and education programs offered by the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada since becoming a member shortly after my diagnosis. I am proud to be involved for a second year with the Get Up There ski challenge which provides generous funds to cancer organizations to help continue public awareness campaigns.
Life is full of challenges, but no challenge is insurmountable. I am looking forward once again to reaching the top of Wentworth Mountain with family and friends by my side.”
Survivor Stories of Courage & Hope
Mar 13th
In the spirit of March Awareness Month, the CCAC has compiled a series of survivor stories to offer hope, instill courage and inspire change. We will be posting a new survivor story every few days. If you would like to share yours, please send it to kristah@colorectal-cancer.ca.
Werner Muehlemann
“At 28 years-old, I went to see my doctor about a problem I was having. He told me that I had nothing to worry about because I was young and in good shape. Following a few tests, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In that moment, I saw my life flash before my eyes – my career and dreams of getting married and starting a family vanishing.
The CCAC helped me acquire all the information that I needed to understand my treatments to follow in the months ahead and ultimately beat colorectal cancer. The CCAC also helped my family get the information they needed to support me in my long journey. Today, nine years later, I have three children with the same woman and I survived this cancer. And for the first time last year, I was able to complete my marathon.
My dream for the future is that colorectal cancer screening becomes as routine as going to the dentist.”
A WIFE REMEMBERS…
Mar 12th
The Giant Colon’s presence at the K Rock Centre in Kingston on March 9, 2012, gave Kingston spectators a unique opportunity to interact with and be informed by the giant colon. During this stop, the GC was located near the entrance in the Kingston arena prior to and during a Junior A hockey game between Kingston and Mississauga, held in honour of Hugh Ball and other OHA players who died of colorectal cancer in recent years. Hugh was very active in Junior hockey in the Kingston area and his widow Betty Ball helped organize this event in his memory.
Betty spoke at the event about her husband, his battle with CRC and his fight to live:
“March is Colorectal Cancer Month. One local sportsman we remember tonight is Hubert Ball, whose life was claimed by colorectal cancer over 15 years ago. If Hugh were alive today he’d urge you to get screened early and to not ignore the danger signs. We invite you to visit the giant colon and tabletop display in the foyer. The exhibit, owned by the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, is sponsored by the OHA, local health providers and Cancer Care Ontario. It is an amazing teaching tool.
Hockey was Hubert’s first love, taking him through Kingston’s Minor ranks from JR B to JR A, and ending with Cataraqui Oldtimers.
His second passion was bird watching and carving. Till near the time of his death in 1996, Hubert spent a major part of each day on decoy making and painting, competing on the local & national scene with longtime OHL friends, Richard Cherry & Bob Collins.
What stands out over and above his hobbies is his love of family and life itself. He was proud of his wife and children and his own achievements. He fought valiantly to live a little longer and enjoy each moment. In his fight for life he was heroic.
On behalf of myself and my family and the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, we thank tonight’s sponsors for the opportunity to remember Hugh and all those whose lives have been touched by colorectal cancer. Awareness, screening and simple acts of kindness are our best tools in fighting this preventable disease.”
Top left: Betty Ball with her son David Ball
Top right: Our own Frank Pitman, Nathan De Bono and Adrien Mitchell in front of the GC
Bottom left: Dr. Hugh Langley, Gwen Potts
Bottom right: Dr. Hugh Langley, Lori Van Manen (MGR of Community Prevention)
GET UP THERE!
Mar 9th
Get Up There is a public awareness movement, fundraiser and event to raise the awareness in Nova Scotia about Colorectal Cancer that took place on March 2, 2012. The mission was to raise the awareness for the prevention and reduce the stigma associated with the colorectal screening.
Beginning at sunrise on March 2, 2012, the 80 participants spent until sundown (or some part of the day) skiing, hiking or snowshoeing up to the top of Ski Wentworth. After warming up in the hut, drinking water and eating light healthy food (and oh, just a few candies!!!) they all walked, jog or skied back down. An after ski event was held at Ducky’s at the end of the day. Once again the event was a success and raised more than 30,000$. The final numbers will be revealed soon.
All and all, it was a fun event, well organized with a great mission. Congratulations to Becky Pink, a great ambassador to CCAC, and all participants and organizers.
For more info on event please see the web site http://www.getupthere.ca/
Top Left: Special Thanks to all Our Sponsors
Top Middle: Participants Getting Ready to Climb the Mountain
Top Right: On the Hike Up Mount Westworth
Middle Left: The BOYS team on their way to the top
Middle Middle: Finally at the top
Middle Right: Warming Up In The Hut
Bottom: Mark and Leslie Gascoigne, GUT creators whose trampoline company manages the event
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