My nephew Daniel battled stage 4 colon cancer. Despite multiple misdiagnoses in Las Vegas, he was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2018 during surgery for diverticulitis. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, the cancer returned. In April 2021, a mass was found in his stomach while he was recovering from a car accident in Wyoming. He faced complications including a fistula and a hole between his bladder and colon, which led to immense pain. After seeking help from various hospitals, UCLA accepted his case and performed a 14-hour surgery to remove the cancer-ridden bladder. Although they couldn’t remove all the cancer, Daniel fought bravely for one more year with his family by his side. He passed away on November 26, 2022. I strongly believe that if Daniel had received a colonoscopy earlier, he might still be here with us.

That’s why I am dedicated to making a change and preventing more stories like Daniel’s. By uniting in the fight against colorectal cancer, we can make a difference.

I found Fight CRC through a deeply personal and poignant journey. Daniel, my nephew, was an active member of the Colon Club, but he didn’t come across Fight CRC during his battle with colorectal cancer. After he passed away, Phuong Gallagher from the Colon Club reached out to me and introduced me to Fight CRC and Call-on Congress. Less than three months after losing Daniel, I found myself at Call-on Congress, fueled by grief and a newfound determination to make a difference.

Raising awareness and advocating for colorectal cancer research became a mission for me because I saw firsthand how devastating this disease can be. Daniel’s misdiagnosis and the pain he endured ignited a fire within me to prevent others from going through the same ordeal. Fight CRC provided me with a platform to channel my grief into action, to honor Daniel’s memory, and to fight for better resources, awareness, and ultimately, a cure. This cause isn’t just important to me; it’s a part of who I am now.