My name is William (Bill) McGinley. I am the father of 4 amazing kids, a husband, married to my beautiful wife Kim, and I’m lucky to have many more loving family and friends than I can name in this brief article. I was originally diagnosed with Stage 3b colorectal cancer at age 40 and I was very fortunate to be cancer free for 10 years. In January 2018, however, at the age of 50, my cancer came back. This time, as stage 4, originally, with metastases in my lungs, retroperitoneum and pelvis, but now, after 6+ years, I also have metastases in my liver. Over the Past 6 ½ years, I have had 62 rounds of FOLFIRI and Avastin, 12 rounds of FOLFOX, double lung surgery, 5 rounds of palliative radiation on my right pelvis, 21 rounds of FOLFIRI and Cetuximab, 6 cycles of Phase 1 Study Immunotherapy IV Treatments, 12 rounds of LONSURF and Avastin, and finally, 3 rounds of rechallenge FOLFIRI and AVASTIN (which is currently working and what I will stick with until it no longer provides a benefit). That’s 121 IV treatments and still going!! The longer I am on my cancer journey, the more I respect that no two patients’ journeys or cancers are the same and hence tailoring each person’s cancer treatment is needed. This is when doctors choose treatments based on your genes and your cancer’s genetic and molecular profile which is obtained via government funded Biomarker testing. More exhaustive information can be provided by private tests or advanced biomarker testing (conducted via liquid biopsy or tissue samples). This information allows doctors to add targeted systemic treatments for your cancer’s mutation to achieve the best results. Personalized medicine is typically more effective, with precise drugs and protocols potentially reducing side effects and allowing you to continue effective treatment for as long as possible. I am quite fortunate as I was recently able to go through advanced biomarker testing (privately paid) and the knowledge has provided me with a better quality of life. My results were a “double-edged sword” as I learned due to my cancer mutating overtime, I was out of “new” treatment options. My tumor had become resistant to FOLFIRI and CETUXIMAB. While dismayed, I was also relieved, as this was the most toxic systemic therapy I had taken and the side effects were very difficult to manage, even for a pro like me! The same report also provided a glimmer of hope: my cancer might respond to a “rechallenge” of a previously effective therapy that had stopped working after a few years but might now be effective again after a break from it. As a result of my advocacy, and having had good results previously, that were not exactly “textbook”, my Oncologist agreed to try it. After just 2 doses of FOLFIRI and AVASTIN, my CEA dropped by 56 points or ~20% and I am feeling positive that this medicine will continue to work for many months to come!! For you to access this type of care, you too need to know your Biomarkers and as much other information as you can get your hands on. Ask your health care provider for more information or access the CCRAN website to learn more. Please find out if you qualify for precision medicine, how you can access it in Canada (through both government-funded as well as private testing), and what it would mean for your treatment plan, and your Life! As a survivor, current patient, or caregiver, it is crucial to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. We need to spread the word about the prevention of colon cancer at all ages, shapes, sizes and health levels, helping people be participative in their own healthcare. You can acquire a lot of this information yourself and by joining CCRAN. We must support cancer patients, caregivers, and loved ones throughout their cancer journey, whether it be by offering rides to appointments or expressing love. We also need to give back to the organization that helped us by donating our time or money to cancer prevention, treatment, and personal support. If CCRAN has positively touched you, and you are healthy now, you owe it to yourself and others to give back and ensure the continuation of their work. If you're currently dealing with cancer, you understand the importance of giving to maintain access to the support CCRAN provides for you and future patients. To donate, visit CCRAN’s website: www.ccran.org . Sincerely, Bill McGinley, CRC Thriver

I am a devoted single mom to AJ, who is 11 years old. Since 2005, I’ve taught at Alberni District Secondary School, Eighth Avenue Learning Centre, South Surrey/White Rock Learning Centre and John Howitt Elementary School. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, hiking, and sharing my favourite local restaurants, social causes and local businesses on social media as a blogger. stMy answer was, “Well, it’s uncomfortable, but yes I guess I can live with it.” In July of 2023, I suddenly came down with severely painful cramps and very low iron. Something was seriously wrong. Five trips to the Emergency Department later, my concerns were finally taken seriously, and an emergency hysterectomy was scheduled for early August. While I was opened up, the surgeons discovered what turned out to be Stage IV colorectal cancer with metastases to the peritoneal lining and liver, with an MSS BRAF V600e mutated tumour. Part of my colon was removed, including a lime-sized tumour. When I woke up, it was a shock to receive this news, along with a very poor prognosis. I choose to believe the diagnosis, but not the prognosis!! Through colon cancer community groups on Facebook, I connected with Jessica Dasler, who serves as a "My Colorectal Cancer Coach" for CCRAN. Jessica met with and mentored me in next steps, including reaching out to CCRAN. Because of my mutation, I am not a clear candidate for many surgeries and therapies available to most other colorectal cancer patients. Cassandra has closely tracked my case, encouraged biomarker testing, and provided suggestions and helpful feedback about referrals and interventions. To date, my oncologist has responded favourably to these ideas and made all these referrals. Currently in June 2024, I am on #14 FOLFOX and responding well to first line treatments. The latest PET scan shows the “cancer is sleeping”, and my oncologist is encouraging me to “keep on doing everything you’re doing”- plant based diet, naturopathic treatments, exercise and spiritual/emotional/energy work. Thank you to CCRAN for providing us with hope and out of the box approaches to healing late-stage colorectal cancer! Our lives are worth trying to do everything we can!

In 2022, I was 41 years old, working and raising a young family with my wife, Jasmine. My son was 8, and my daughter was 5. We were a happy, healthy family, making travel plans for the summer like everyone else. That spring, I began experiencing symptoms. After learning that the wait time for a colonoscopy would be 6-8 months, I paid for a private virtual colonoscopy. I was working from home when I got the call from my doctor with the scan results. The left side of my colon was almost completely obstructed. Nothing could have prepared me for hearing that I had cancer. How was this possible? I was young and healthy, with no family history of the disease. After emergency surgery to remove the tumour, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIb colon cancer. After four rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy, a CT scan in December 2022 showed no sign of cancer. I rang the bell and celebrated the holiday season knowing I had a good chance of leaving cancer behind me for good. In 2023, I resumed life as normal. With another clear scan in June, I felt good about my chances of staying healthy. We spent the summer camping and went to Disneyland. I had the shadow of my cancer experience hanging over me but felt optimistic, as I gradually thought less and less about cancer. Of course, as all survivors know, cancer doesn’t fight fair. A CT scan in December 2023 showed that I had progressed to Stage IV, despite having no symptoms. I had a small lesion deep in my liver, as well as three affected lymph nodes in the area. To say my family was devastated would be an understatement. After a week of uncertainty, we found out that I was eligible for curative surgery. It would be a significant procedure that would remove half my liver, but it was the best hope for a cure. After a 77-day wait, I had surgery in February 2024. A few weeks after the surgery, we learned there were “uncertain” margins. A CT scan in April showed that while my liver was clear, there was now cancer in my retroperitoneal lymph nodes. I was put back on chemotherapy indefinitely. My family and I were overwhelmed and devastated by the continued bad news. It was hard to make sense of where I was compared to where I had been just a few months ago: disease-free and feeling healthy. This was a very dark time, but after reaching out to other survivors and patient advocates, I realized I still have hope. I am still alive, and for the sake of my family, I have to put one foot in front of the other and do everything I can to fight this disease. I have a good quality of life despite being under treatment, and like many Stage IV patients, I am learning to live with the disease as I fight for long-term health. Successful outcomes result from researching options, pushing for the best possible treatments, and never giving up hope for long-term survival. I reached out to CCRAN because Filomena has a reputation for fiercely advocating for patients. After hearing my story, she gave me hope that I have a fighting chance of seeing my children grow up. She and her team continue to be a source of support and valuable advice for me and my family. I would recommend that anyone diagnosed with colorectal cancer reach out to CCRAN for support.

My world was shattered when I was told I have colorectal cancer in October 2022. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. I could not come to terms with telling many of my friends about the disease. I kept it very private hoping that it would go away with treatments and surgery. I started chemo/radiation for 5 and 1/2 weeks. The tumour did shrink, and surgery was scheduled for March 2023. I was terrified because I had never had surgery in my life. My Lower Anterior Resection (LAR) surgery was a success. The tumour was removed and unfortunately so was most of my rectum. Fortunately, I did not need a colostomy bag which was great news. The bad news was during the surgery additional metastases were found. The surgeon removed a small spot on my liver and the pathology report confirmed that the spot was cancerous. I looked at the surgeon with tears in my eyes and so much disbelief. I was devastated! How did this happen? Not only were there lesions on my liver, but there were also some on my lungs. The very first CT scan and MRI showed lesions, small, yet they were visible on the images. The medical team, however, was not initially concerned since they could not confirm if these lesions were malignant or not at the time. As of April 2023, my cancer was restaged. I was officially a stage IV cancer patient. Systemic chemo was started immediately. I met with the liver and thoracic surgeons and was pleased to hear that the spots could be removed. This gave my family and I much needed hope. At this point all I wanted was surgery to remove these spots and finally be NED (No Evidence of Disease). This was my goal. Liver resection was scheduled for August 2023. It was a success. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Now I had to tackle the lung lesions. Another CT scan was scheduled and this time we discovered some of the lesions on my lungs grew from the last CT scan. This was not good news. Chemo was not effective in shrinking the lung lesions. We were told that the lesions on my lungs are no longer operable, and I was no longer curable. Hearing those words “incurable and inoperable” destroyed everything in me. I lost every little bit of hope. I remember seeing CCRAN’s website back in February just before my LAR surgery. I thought I have nothing to lose so I reached out by email to Filomena. She responded quickly. We spoke briefly and I will never forget what she said to me. She was so comforting, she calmed me down and said, “I heard that narrative before”. I met with Cassandra and Filomena, and they informed me that I could obtain a second opinion. They told me not to worry because there is a clinical trial at Toronto General Hospital led by renowned surgeon Dr. Marcelo Cypel who may be able to help me with my lung lesions. My family and I met Dr. Cypel along with Cassandra and Filomena and he spoke about the clinical trial called In Vivo Lung Perfusion. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I qualified and that Dr. Cypel was willing to operate and remove these lung lesions. Surgery was scheduled for November 23, 2023, and it was a success. I will be forever indebted to Dr. Cypel who has given me a second chance at living. Had I not reached out to Filomena, I would have continued with palliative intent treatment due to the first thoracic surgeon’s prognosis. There would have been no hope. More importantly I am blessed and extremely grateful to Filomena and CCRAN for their support. This organization focuses on patient group meetings, education sessions and monthly research articles which has given me knowledge and confidence to advocate for myself and take an active role in my treatments. I have also been connected with a CCRAN Cancer Coach, Jessica Dasler. Jessica helps me cope and provides one-on-one support which I find extremely valuable and comforting. I am no longer afraid to push back or to question protocols. I have the right to explore standards of care and which practices are available for me. It is my life after all. I realized that advocacy is critical. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I am more empowered now than ever to face any further challenges in my cancer journey. I will never let cancer define me. If you are not satisfied with your prognosis or doctor, get a second opinion, it may change your life. Don’t start your cancer journey without reaching out to CCRAN. You won’t regret it. I wish I had contacted CCRAN sooner.

In March 2023, after a FIT test came back positive, I went in for a colonoscopy, fully expecting that the FIT test result was a false positive. After the procedure, I was told that I had cancer in my sigmoid colon. This was not expected, because I had no health issues. In fact, after retiring in mid 2022, I was hiking across the US for 1500 miles just a few months prior, so my view was that I was in great shape! A CT scan got scheduled for the next month, and this was where the full story came to light. I was told that I had "innumerable metastases" on my liver. Stage 4 colorectal cancer! Surgery was not an option, chemo for life was what my oncologist told me in our very first meeting. This was a bitter pill to swallow. Chemo with FOLFOX would start at the beginning of May 2023. I was not accepting the diagnosis and asked for 2nd opinions from UHN in Toronto. Dr. Sapisochin from UHN confirmed that a surgery at this point in time could not be done. One of the treatment options for colorectal cancer in the liver I found out about was HAIP (Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump), being done at Sunnybrook in Toronto. I contacted the program and after undergoing special tests, I was scheduled to have a meeting with the main surgeon and the main oncologist. A few days before the meeting, I contacted CCRAN hoping that they would review my list of questions. I got much, much more than that! Filomena contacted me within an hour after I left a voicemail for them. I got great advice in a very uplifting conversation that we had. And Filomena offered to call into the meeting at Sunnybrook. All this on very short notice! Communication with Filomena went on into the evening hours, providing me with all the information I needed. The meeting at Sunnybrook went well, I was told that I could receive a HAI pump! Yet, the surgeon and the oncologist recommended I should consider a liver transplant. Within a week, Filomena and team got me a video call with the head surgeon running the Living Donor Liver Transplant program. I was told that I could be a candidate for the program! There are quite a few preconditions before the program can fully start. I am currently getting these checked off and hope to get accepted into the program soon. If you want to give me part of your liver (it will all grow back!), I will be grateful to you, each and every day! I remain positive, exercise regularly and try to have a great day every day. The love and support of my wife and my two daughters do give me hope and strength. If you are a CRC patient (or a caregiver to a patient), do contact CCRAN! They are the most knowledgeable Canadian organisation, and they are very well connected into the ongoing research as well as know about new, upcoming treatments. On top of that, Filomena and team truly care about each and every one of the patients who are reaching out for help. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.

I have had stage IV colorectal cancer for 13 years. After my original treatments for rectal cancer, I was in remission for about 6 years. In 2017, a serious progression was detected. The disease had spread throughout my right pelvis, invading multiple organs there. I underwent a very harsh chemotherapy followed by a huge surgery. Sadly, the surgeon said that the disease had progressed to an inoperable area deep in my pelvic sidewall. He told me that although they were able to cut out all visible disease, I was certain to recur again. I called Filomena at CCRAN. She had been my support lifeline ever since my original diagnosis in 2010. She encouraged me to get Next Generation Testing done, to really know my biomarkers. So, I contacted Shaniah at Cannexia, a Canadian firm that was establishing itself as a provider of genomic testing. Cannexia made it easy. After I and my oncologist had signed the relevant forms, Cannexia took care of all the next steps. They called the lab where my surgical specimen was stored and arranged for it to be sent to them. They tested it against a panel of about 500 different mutations. Cannexia sent the findings and an interpretive report to my oncologist and me. I had 7 mutations. One of them, called an “HRD” mutation, which was a defect more commonly seen in ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer. Their report noted that in those conditions, the cancer could be targeted by the drug Olaparib. Olaparib was not in the Nova Scotia formulary for use in colorectal cancer. So, I underwent many different chemotherapy and radiation protocols to treat my cancer. Then came the day of reckoning, when my oncologist told me I had used up all the lines that NS permits. I was officially out of all treatment options. And my cancer escalated, invading my sacral spine and crushing vital nerve roots. I was losing my ability to walk. My cancer blood marker (CEA) soared to 15, the highest it had ever been. So as a Hail Mary, I persuaded my oncologist to let me try Olaparib. I would have to pay for it myself. It was staggeringly expensive: $17,000 a bottle in the US; $8000 a bottle in Canada. I was able to source it from Bangladesh for $500 a bottle. My oncologist set up a protocol of infusion drugs that are permitted under the formulary. (Irinotecan and Avastin with a 5FU push). Concurrently, I took the Olaparib at home. We don’t have scan results yet, but my CEA levels showed sudden and significant reduction. CEA went from 15 to 5 after only 4 infusions. The nerve destruction in my spine and leg seemed to stop, and my degree of disability has plateaued. When all hope was gone, precision medicine saved my bacon.

First allow me to share my story with you, then the resources I found so valuable in dealing with this disease. I went into hospital June 6th, 2022, for abdominal pain and inability to eat. I had been struggling for a number of years with occasional bouts of nausea and bloating which would cause nausea and vomiting if I tried to eat or drink anything. I had just had a colonoscopy 10 days earlier where there was nothing more sinister than diverticulosis. Imagine the look on my surgeon's face when he finds me in the ER! I was admitted, put on antibiotics and waited in hospital until the 20th, trying to get well enough for surgery. I underwent a right hemicolectomy and had part of the greater omentum, 21 lymph nodes and a 5 cm. tumour with some of my psoas muscle removed. Pathology results revealed I had Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix (MAA). I was labelled as stage 3b because three lymph nodes had been invaded. In August, I began what was supposed to be 12 rounds of chemo spread over 6 months. I did not do well on FOLFOX! I underestimated the nauseating effects of chemo for my first round and had to go into the chemo unit and receive IV fluids and anti-nausea meds to get things under control. I was back in 2 days later needing more fluids and was sent to the emergency department in case I was developing a bowel obstruction. Turns out I was experiencing my first episode of diverticulitis. Chemo was delayed and I spent 2 weeks on antibiotics. By round #6 the Oxaliplatin had to be dropped due to side effects and the dosage of 5FU was reduced. I was severely debilitated and was spending 20 out of 24 hours in bed. Then, the day after having the IV bottle of round #8 disconnected, I was back in the ER on New Years Eve and underwent an emergency bowel resection and the creation of a colostomy because of a perforation in my sigmoid colon. Back on antibiotics. I waited another 6 weeks to recover from the surgery and went back to chemo. This time FOLFIRI with Bevacizumab (Avastin). Was I ever glad for the colostomy! That much diarrhea is no joke! I may have had to empty my pouch frequently but others have had to endure extremely painful "back doors". FOLFIRI was no better for me and I was again bedridden. In May I had my 4th CT scan and this time the local radiologist could see new tumours and when she reviewed the previous imaging, she could see it had been developing throughout the time I was doing chemotherapy. Chemo was stopped. On June 19th, 2023, I entered the Vancouver General Hospital and underwent CRS/HIPEC with their Peritoneal Malignancy team. They were expecting my tumour load as measured by the Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index or PCI to be around 10/39 but found, once I was opened, a score of 18/39. Surgery took 12 hours but I finished with a score of CC 0 meaning they believe they had removed all visible signs of cancer!!! I am now working my way through recovery and trying to focus on that good news rather than the new classification of my cancer as stage 4 MAA with signet ring cell features. I cried when I read my report. Signet ring cells are tumour cells that have developed an unusual shape. There are many cancers that can be described as having signet ring cell features and they all have one thing in common. Cancers with signet ring cell features are much more aggressive than the same cancer without. My cancer has likely been MAA with signet ring cell features all along and it was just not evident on the tissue samples of my first surgery. This likely explains why the chemotherapy didn’t seem to be working. Now, how I survived this year of hell. First, I started researching all I could and checked out the Canadian Cancer Society’s website. They don’t even list appendiceal cancer! I signed into their Cancer Connection Forum where a lovely lady told me of a patient advocacy group called the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network and a dynamo named Filomena. Having someone as knowledgeable guiding your understanding of what you are about to experience is lifesaving. Filomena is amazing and I really appreciate the monthly support group meetings and CCRAN’s educational programs as well as their sharing of the latest research. Filomena was there when I needed help, making sense of my blood test results, my biomarker testing and my genetic testing. She helped me contact the specialist I needed and she introduced me to CCRAN’s dietitian, Felicia Newell, when I was struggling with the effects of chemo on my ability to eat. Filomena and the support group were there for me when I had to acknowledge my revised diagnosis. When I went researching MAA, I found a group specifically for appendix cancer where I found a wealth of information, the latest research and educational webinars. I read every page of that website and then joined their Facebook support group. Then I joined PMP Pals, another appendix cancer support group for their twice weekly Zoom support meetings. Why did I join all these groups? Because this disease is a beast and Canada still treats it like colon cancer which it is not. You need to educate yourself so you can be your own best advocate to get the treatments you need regardless of your diagnosis. For most of us with appendix cancer, that is an extensive surgery with chemotherapy called CRS/HIPEC. Only by having an experienced peritoneal malignancy surgeon inspecting every inch of your abdominal cavity for the tiniest specks of cancer and removing as much as can be, do we have hope of long-term survival. Without the support of the kind folks at CCRAN, I would likely be curled under my desk crying. There is a Zoom meeting every month with CCRAN. If you sign up on their website, they will send you the link to this month’s meeting. See you there?

Three years ago, at the age of 36 in November 2020, my life was turned upside down with a stage IIIb colon cancer diagnosis. It made no sense! I was healthy, had no family history, or any logical reason as to why this happened. This was mentally the toughest for me. I was quickly surrounded and supported by an incredible medical team at The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Cancer Center. On top of this being a very scary, confusing, and stressful experience for my family and I, there was the added pressure of the pandemic. This created even more uncertainty in the face of an already uncertain future. I quickly learned how to advocate, research, and ask important questions to collaborate with my medical team and be part of my care not just a patient. Being a young adult male diagnosed with a thought to be “old man’s disease“, was extremely difficult and I am so grateful to have found additional supports with “Man Up to Cancer”, ” Young Adult Cancer Canada”, “Colorectal Cancer Canada” , and, more recently, the incredible support of the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN)! Following a successful surgery and 6 months of chemo in 2021, I was declared NED and was moved to surveillance with my incredible oncologist. Life was slowly returning to my new normal while I worked through the physical and psychological challenges cancer brings! Or so I thought! This past September on routine scans, a couple small nodules popped up in my lung and this meant I was thrust quickly back into patient mode! My team quickly scheduled tests and consults to create an action plan. The big difference this time was the lungs and thoracic team were unknown to me and very intimidating. Through some incredible friends I’ve made over my journey, I was provided information about CCRAN and reached out immediately. I was contacted by Filomena and Cassandra that same day and quickly had an appointment set up for the following day. This meeting was such a huge relief as I was provided with clear and accurate information that I was able to understand that helped me have a better understanding of my situation. Importantly, this gave me confidence, hope, and some direction in a very emotional and difficult few days upon navigating this news. Any questions I had were answered, I even got a call from Filomena after hours to address a test that was ordered that was causing me a lot of anxiety, which was quickly put to rest. The following day, I began with phone calls, emails, and asking questions about my plan. This in turn started an incredible chain reaction of events that led to tests being carried out quicker, and an amazing consult with a doctor in Toronto my team was able to collaborate with for a second opinion in addition to the amazing care they have been providing me. Ultimately, this collaboration gave me the confidence and support I needed to advocate further, ask tough questions, and not be afraid to question my care plan. I am so grateful and thankful for the support I have received from CCRAN! I would recommend that anyone diagnosed with colorectal cancer advocate for themselves as best they can to ensure they are receiving the best care possible. Sincerely, Jason

I’m a dad and husband with a busy career. My cancer journey will be one of good news with the happy ending of my life being saved and getting back to a normal life. Looking back, there were some indicators. If my GP or I were more in tune with the fact that more people under 50 are getting colorectal cancer, we may have caught the cancer earlier. I frequently suffered with bowel pain, fatigue, and bloating. I tried switching to a mainly vegetarian diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, I stopped drinking alcohol (although I did not drink a lot) and went gluten free. None of which helped greatly. One fateful day in 2018, I passed quite a bit of blood in my stool. I went to the local medical clinic and after a quick check by the doctor, the obvious concern on her face told me I was facing something serious. A few weeks later after a colonoscopy and biopsy, at 45 years old I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. It didn’t make sense. I was fit and ate right. I ran, biked, hiked and worked out nearly everyday. A few months later, I successfully underwent a Lower Anterior Resection. They removed much of my rectum and sigmoid colon. Fortunately, the surgeon was able to save enough of my rectum that I did not need a colostomy bag, but I was left with severe Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) that still greatly affects the quality of my life today. In short, LARS has left my bowels unpredictable and often painful, but we thought we had left cancer behind. A few years back, I received the dreaded news that the cancer was back and had metastasized to my liver. After lots of chemo, the cancer had retreated enough for a liver resection. Unfortunately, it came back yet again and the surgeon tried again but with the same results. With the last remaining tumour in a bad spot, I no longer qualify for another resection. That was tough news as it seemed to be the end of the road. With the support of CCRAN and Filomena’s indominable spirit and advocacy, I applied to the Living Donor Liver Transplant Trial Program in Toronto. You can imagine how my family and I felt when we learned I was accepted into this trial at Toronto General Hospital. In essence, my liver will be removed and a piece of a donor’s liver will be placed in me. Both the donors’ and my new liver will re-grow to nearly full size in only a few weeks! Isn’t that incredible? This surgery is potentially curative with high success rates in both Norway and now the USA. Our hope is that this treatment will become a mainstay treatment in Canada offering hope to those with otherwise uncurable colorectal cancer with mets to the liver. CCRAN has been instrumental in connecting me with my mentor Steve, and we have become fast friends with so much shared background and circumstance. In addition, the support groups offer insights and support of other patients and survivors. CCRAN has helped navigate an often-confusing medical system by shedding light on options and arming patients with questions to ask medical teams. If you are facing a colorectal cancer diagnosis either yourself or a loved one, try to keep smiling and reach out for support from CCRAN.

I am not one to share openly personal situations but if I can help to improve someone’s quality of life or even save a life, I am all in! Last September I was unfortunately diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Two surgeries later (colon and liver), 7 rounds of chemotherapy with 5 to go, I should be in very good shape health wise. I have been very lucky to have the loving support from family and friends. Along with a positive attitude and an amazing healthcare team, I am pulling through this nightmarish stage in my life. I am reaching out mainly to raise awareness to a disease that is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada. The good news is, it’s very curable especially if caught early. I would like to use my lessons learned to help people facing a similar diagnosis. Get to a doctor ASAP if something is not right down below (blood in toilet bowl or stool or change in bowel habits) – I thought I had internal hemorrhoids and delayed getting to a doctor by a couple months. Be your own advocate and DO NOT be afraid to follow up and even ruffle a few feathers if you have to. Get a colonoscopy. I had my first one at 45 and then at 46. I should have had one at 51, (I am 52 now) but I was unaware and nobody followed up. This was my miss!! Colonoscopies are easy. If you have questions contact me please. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. As we age, more people we know have health issues and scares and unfortunately even die. Our families and friends need us and we need them. Personally, I do think if I had acted quicker, I could have caught it prior to turning cancerous or even during stage 1 or 2. It is so sad, but 50% of colorectal cancer diagnoses are made in the later stages. Through all of this I was introduced to CCRAN – Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network, led by Filomena Servidio. To say she is amazing is an understatement. Along with my formal healthcare team, she was able to put my situation into simpler terms. She was also able to give additional guidance and direction and has an amazing patient advisory council to lean on. She was available to me 24/7 and Sunday morning chats were not out of the ordinary. She and her team gave my family and I the needed support and reassurance that things were on track and that there are many options for me. I could not imagine going through this without CCRAN’s support. It's been a roller coaster ride over the past 7 months. I have learned a lot about life and what really matters. I have never received so much love and given so much in return. One step at a time is my motto. Don’t worry about the little things and have faith in a positive outcome is key. To promote awareness of colorectal cancer screening, which we know saves lives, and to generate funds for CCRAN, I ran a 5k (actually I walked 😉) on Sunday, April 30th, as part of CCRAN’s Bumrun. CCRAN is a not for profit and relies on donations and volunteers to operate. Feel free to support this amazing group. Feel free to share with your network of family and friends. The more people who are aware, the better. The rain held off that Sunday morning and we had a fun morning as a family. It was great raising awareness for a disease that, if caught early, is highly curable. I am very grateful and to be honest, a little lost for words in the response I received while fundraising and sharing my story. Many of you really appreciated my honesty and relayed stories back to me through social media and in person. Some have even booked doctor appointments in the near future to get checked. It was awesome connecting with people I have not seen for a long while – that’s the power of Facebook. Overall, together we raised $10,438.19 for a great cause. I am floored at this amount. Thank you so much for the donations!! I have attached some pictures from the morning I participated in bumrun. It was a great, fun-filled event. If anyone ever has a question, contact me directly, don’t be shy. I am very willing to help. Kind Regards, Mike Schiller Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer Fighter and Advocate

In October of 2014, when I walked out of St. Paul’s Hospital I just stood, motionless and silent. Contemplating how I would break the news to my life partner who sat patiently in our car parked across the street. That was my first experience with the word “cancer” - and I wondered how I would share such a life altering diagnosis with the one I love. Following the resection of an adenocarcinoma three weeks later and finding out that it was Stage I with no metastasis and no lymph node involvement - I was very hopeful. In April of 2019, my CEA came back at 26 and the subsequent PET found a 5.6cm lesion in the left lobe of my liver. Within two weeks I was back into surgery to have the left lobe of my liver removed. Six months of chemo followed. And I looked forward to recovering. However, this time around, I ensured that I had access to regular screening - just in case. Two years later, during a PET in April of 2021, a lone, isolated 2.6cm tumor was found in my chest, sitting in fatty tissue between my heart and lung, which I had removed in May of 2021. One month later I flew to Germany for Trans Arterial Chemo Perfusion (TACP) of the site where the tumor had been removed. Again, I was hopeful. In November of 2022, my CTDNA results were elevated, and I followed up with another PET scan, which indicated a “foci” next to my esophagus. And though grateful to still be alive, I did wonder sometimes if I have always received the best guidance and whether the approaches have been the “best practice” given my particular history with colorectal cancer, a history that I sincerely hope that, through some happy accident, I might just find that person/key to unlock a treatment/approach so that I can keep living a life I so dearly love. It was at this point, on the recommendation of my naturopath, that I reached out to Filomena and CCRAN by writing her a letter explaining the last 8 years of my life, in an effort not to fall through the cracks as my disease surfaced yet again and because I felt the need to find help outside of traditional medicine and practices. Not even an hour had passed after sharing my story with Filomena - and the phone rang. Her upbeat persona, personable approach, and what I have come to know as clearly one who possesses a wealth of knowledge, lifted my spirits and has been an integral part of putting me on a path where I may address my current situation. Without Filomena and CCRAN - none of this would have taken place. I am incredibly grateful to still be alive and for the help I have received over the last 8 years, but it has not come without the trials and tribulations associated with getting the “right” advice regarding the various and most current developments and therapies available for colorectal cancer, and in a timely manner so that I can stave off the progression of my disease sooner than later. Fortunately, today, I have a wonderful oncologist and because of her efforts, and knowing that Filomena and CCRAN are there now - it gives me hope that maybe, just maybe - there may come a day where there is no evidence of disease. Sincerely, Rob Letson

It all started with my wife Wang Li having infrequent episodes of tummy pain. A trip to the local emergency clinic led to a CT scan, a diagnosis of possible colitis and a referral for a colonoscopy. Being 2020 and under the influence of COVID-19 protocols, all such tests were delayed, and the result was that several months passed from emergency visit to colonoscopy. The colonoscopy procedure was not successful, and tissue samples were taken for biopsy. The colon cancer diagnosis was a wrenching blow to our family, to our whole being. My wife hardly ever ate meat, her diet was fruit and veggie heavy, she took long walks and had a busy work schedule at her restaurant. This couldn’t be happening! Well, it was happening, and the surgeon, Dr. McWilliams, moved quickly to book Wang Li in for surgery to remove the tumour. Five days after the colon cancer diagnosis, Wang Li underwent bowel resection surgery and a T4 tumour was removed. Thus started the journey to beat cancer. The primary tumour was gone; however, the cancer had spread, and numerous small tumours were identified in both lungs. A second operation, namely lung resection surgery, was performed to remove one of the lung tumours, a biopsy was conducted, and the lung tumors were confirmed as metastatic colon cancer. The prognosis was bad, and our options were limited; the outlook, however, is we are determined to beat this.

Father’s Day will never be the same for my family and me. On the Friday of Father’s Day weekend 2021, I went for a colonoscopy and received some life altering news: I had a large tumour in the sigmoid section of my colon that was so big, my colon was almost completely obstructed. I was told that I required emergency colon resection surgery. Things quickly went from bad to worse from there. Additional testing over the next few days confirmed the worst news possible: the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and to my liver, which had 23 metastatic cancer tumours on it. The tumours on my liver were inoperable. I was told my cancer was Stage 4 and given only a 20% chance of survival. As a devoted husband and father to two teenage boys, this news was devastating for us all. But I wasn’t going to just give up and accept my diagnosis as fate. I was going to fight and win. When you are told you have cancer, you feel as though you no longer have control over your life. And while that might feel true in a lot of ways, I also knew there was one thing that cancer could NOT control: my mindset. Only I have the power to control that; no one else. I immediately decided that I would never allow my cancer to dictate my outlook and my attitude. So why not choose an attitude of gratitude, and a positive mindset, and believe that I can beat my cancer? After all, someone has to be in that 20% survivor group, so why not me? My colon resection surgery was a success, and the surgeon was able to remove all of the cancerous lymph nodes as well. After a period of recovery from my surgery, I began chemotherapy treatments in August 2021, and shortly thereafter, antibody therapy with Panitumumab was added as an additional treatment. My body responded positively to the treatments: the tumours on my liver began to shrink, and repeated scans confirmed that the cancer had not spread anywhere else in my body. In March 2022, I joined the Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Chemotherapy Program at Sunnybrook Hospital. This is an innovative clinical trial in which a surgically implanted pump infuses additional chemotherapy directly into the patient’s liver while they are also receiving traditional chemotherapy at the same time. As of July 2022, after four months on the HAI pump, scans confirm that I only have eight tumours left on my liver (down from 23 at the time of diagnosis!) and that I may be on track for a “complete response” – meaning my treatments could completely eliminate the remaining tumours without any additional interventions. I was almost a full year into my cancer journey before I learned of CCRAN’s existence. When I finally did connect with Filomena, I could tell within minutes of our conversation that she and her team at CCRAN are dedicated to ensuring colorectal cancer patients have the support and access to critical information they need. Having navigated that first year on my own without the incredible support offered by CCRAN, I can say unequivocally that my life would have been much easier had I known about CCRAN and reached out for support right from the get-go! Every new colorectal cancer patient should join CCRAN.

One moment, I was a young busy mother of two boys, working full time as a Registered Nurse during a terrible pandemic; I was married, happy, successful, and optimistic for my future. The next moment, I was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. I was diagnosed in May 2021. My symptoms began with several months of vague abdominal pains. Doctors found a mass in my rectum along with seven liver mets and multiple probable lung mets (which later turned out to be benign nodules). I started my treatment plan with chemotherapy and had an excellent response; six of the seven mets in my liver were gone! I was subsequently treated with five weeks of radiation to the primary rectal site. Surgery followed – all carefully planned and carried out by my excellent surgeons. First was my bowel resection in December 2021, followed by the liver resection in January 2022. I spent that winter healing and then did “mop up” chemotherapy for six months, finishing in July 2022. My latest scans are clear, so I am now working hard to heal my body and mind, as well as my little family. Perhaps it was an occupational skill, or perhaps a personal need, but I knew from the beginning how important it would be to be educated and have current, evidence-based information about this disease and its treatment options. Enter CCRAN! Having appropriate, vetted resources consolidated in one place was priceless. The need to arm myself with current medical literature on the disease further empowered me to have thoughtful and informed conversations with my care providers. The fantastic network of people whom I have met and the support I have received has been paramount to me. This is why I feel the need to give back, pay it forward and be a source of help to others who, just like me, are diagnosed with this disease. I would like to use my training as a registered nurse, the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout this journey, and the cancer coach training and certification I have acquired from CCRAN to lead an early age onset colorectal cancer information/support group every third Sunday of the month from 7-9 p.m. Won’t you join me? Together, anything is possible!

There aren’t enough words to say what CCRAN’s monthly Information/Support Group meetings have done for our daughter Josie and family. We attended the monthly group meetings faithfully wherein we were furnished with so much information by the support group facilitator on treatments and the disease. Just speaking to other group members who were battling the same disease, receiving the same treatments, and experiencing the same side effects made our journey so much easier. With this extraordinary organization and the courageous people who attend the monthly support group meetings, we truly felt well supported and empowered, handling anything that came our way for our young daughter. We encourage all colorectal cancer patients to contact CCRAN’s Patient Support Program. You will not regret it.

My life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer at the age of 35. I was an avid runner, played sports, and regularly worked out. I ate mostly a plant-based diet and by all accounts had a very healthy lifestyle. I thought cancer was something I would need to be mindful of later in life – I was completely devastated hearing the news of my illness. My doctors provided very grim statistics related to my survival as the main metastatic spread was in my liver. I was given one treatment option – chemotherapy for life. I was told surgery would never be an option. I was feeling scared, hopeless, depressed, and very isolated. Once I connected with CCRAN, I felt empowered as a patient. The organization took the time to listen to my case and my unique concerns as a patient. They provided education, direction, and gave me the confidence to seek further opinions and treatment options. Rather than feeling like a passive participant in my cancer care, I was beginning to feel like I had some control in how things should move forward. My mood and outlook changed for the better. The organization runs a support group, and I was able to connect with other colon cancer patients. It is difficult to cope with various changes related to this illness. Connecting with other cancer patients and understanding how they cope with family issues, financial worries, role changes and treatment side effects has been extremely helpful. As for my treatment – with the support of CCRAN, I subsequently moved to a different province and received liver surgery! While my cancer journey is far from over, I am very hopeful about my future knowing that I have someone in my corner to support me.

My name is Theresa Fielding. My journey started in 2015, when I was diagnosed with stage 2 Colorectal Cancer. After receiving the typical standard of care, the disease spread to my liver in 2017 and again in 2018. Both times, I was a candidate for liver resections. In 2019, the spread was to my porta hepatis, on my esophagus, and in my retroperitoneal area. I was now deemed inoperable and panic set in. This is when I received a response to a desperate post on one of my Facebook support groups. A wonderful support group friend mentioned that I should get in touch with Filomena and CCRAN, and that’s when everything changed. Filomena is so knowledgeable, comforting, and has such a take charge attitude that I finally felt like I had someone in my corner that understood what I was going through. She guided me through the decisions I had to make about treatment options and helped me to come up with a concrete plan. I’m happy to say that the treatments worked, and I’ve been NED for 6 months. I feel I owe a large part of that success to Filomena and her guidance. She is there for you 24/7 through email, text, or phone call. I am so grateful that she came into my life. I can’t tell you the difference it has made.

Funny, when I think of the saying “life is a rollercoaster,” all I think of is our life since my husband’s colon cancer diagnosis at the young age of 43. I still feel sick when I think about the day we found out Jeff had cancer – it was the Friday of Easter weekend, and we felt like we had been hit by a truck. Picking up our children from school and sitting them down and telling them was one of the hardest things we have ever done. One day you can be living a blissful, normal, and happy life with your family – and the next, everything completely changes. That day was the start of our rollercoaster ride, one we are still on five and half years later. My husband has now had countless rounds of chemotherapy, as well as a very rare and extreme surgery called HIPEC. Although I didn’t find CCRAN at the beginning of our ride, I did eventually find them and specifically Filomena Servidio-Italiano. They have played a huge part in my husband’s care ever since. Not just my husband, but to patients across Canada. If I have a question about a new drug/clinical trial or treatment option, CCRAN is always available to go through it with me. This has saved me countless hours in research. When I find information on a possible treatment, I have a knowledgeable/reliable source to call. I can’t tell you how much this organization and its constant support has meant to me. My hope is that anyone diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Canada finds out about this wonderful organization from the onset. Life on a rollercoaster is somehow more manageable when you aren’t alone.

When I went to an obstetrician to check out what I thought were typical pregnancy-related pains, it was the last word I had expected to hear: “carcinoma.” “Do you mean, cancer?” I replied, as anxiety began to build in my chest and my eyes welled up with tears because I knew full well what that word meant. That moment, in December 2014 when I was six-months pregnant, set off a whirlwind of tests and frantic hospital visits. And in the end, the worst fears of my doctors and family and friends were confirmed: I had advanced colorectal cancer. 2015 was an incredibly arduous year — one that, as a new mother, should have been the most amazing time of my life. I had a scheduled early C-section in January 2015 to deliver our teeny-tiny Olivia at 32 weeks. As soon as it was possible, I started radiation therapy in March, followed by surgery in July and chemotherapy in December. I made it through the ordeal, somehow, thanks to my amazing, resourceful, and dedicated husband Dave, my parents and mother-in-law, the support of family and friends who knew what I was going through, the stellar doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital, CCRAN and countless others. And of course, Olivia. She saved me, literally. If it wasn’t for her growing little body in my belly, slowly pushing up against a growing mass, I might never have discovered, I might not be here right now. Her delightful giggles, tiny hands grasping my cheeks, sloppy kisses, and overall joy she brings was a much-needed bright light in a dark place. Now, I am happy to say I am cancer free and that she is now a healthy, happy preschooler. I have been deeply private about this traumatic experience, but I’m sharing my story now in the hopes that some good can come out of it all. To raise awareness for other young people, who like me, thought colon cancer was an old person’s disease. In fact, colon cancer is being diagnosed in younger people at an increasing rate. Sadly, that it happened to someone like me is not an anomaly. And in the time since I completed my treatment, I have learned of too many others I know or are connected to those close to me who have been diagnosed as well. I hope that my story can help get the message out to those who don’t realize they are at risk. Olivia saved me — hopefully I can do the same for someone else.

Wouldn’t it be nice if “our story” was just one about our marriage, our children, our life together and our family? But “our story” also involves cancer. Colorectal cancer that my husband has been fighting for five years. Ryan was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in March 2015. He was 39 years old, and otherwise in great health. In September 2015, he had treatment to shrink and surgically remove the tumor. He also received chemotherapy to ensure the cancer was gone. In January 2017, through a routine scan, it was discovered that the cancer had moved to his liver. In February 2017, he had 1/3 of his liver removed. In June 2017, he had a clean CT scan, but in November through a visit to the ER department, a CT scan showed a recurrent mass (cancer) on the outside of this rectum. This is called a “local reoccurrence.” Our family, our amazing supportive family, has done this a few times: receive the news, process it, and then get ready for the “fight of our lives.” This one was the hardest: we know that when cancer comes back, it’s never good. We waited 10 days, 10 really long and sad days to meet with the surgeon, who sat across from us and said there was “nothing” that they could do, and a referral would be put in touch with someone who might be able to help, but he seriously doubted it. This was devastating and horrible! I would not wish this moment on anyone. The next day my husband and I woke up, looked at each other and decided “this cannot be it.” We are not done fighting: there must be an option. There must be someone out there who can help us. I have worked in not-for-profit my whole career, yet I never thought to find the association that deals with colorectal cancer, not until that day. I wish that I had found them three years ago because that moment, that day when I reached out to Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN), our life changed, our fight changed, and our outcome changed. Filomena from CCRAN reached out to me on a Saturday night, and immediately I emailed her and she talked to me for 40 minutes about options. She gave me hope for the future, and within seconds, I knew I had an advocate. We were referred to the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook, a centre of excellence. We were also told about the Young Adult Colorectal Cancer Clinic headed up by Dr. Shady Ashamalla. This is a clinic that specializes in treatment for those people diagnosed with the disease before the age of 50. We had an appointment with a highly skilled and expert surgeon in a week’s time. He believed he could remove the tumor and bring my husband back to health, a life without cancer. A week later, we had met the rest of the team: the radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. Each appointment moved us further in our plan and each interaction with the staff at Sunnybrook and CCRAN has been positive, uplifting, and safe. As I mentioned before, that first call I made to CCRAN changed our life because we took the power back, we had a plan and an excellent care team. It changed our fight; now we are fighting with more knowledge; our team of supporters has grown; we have an entire organization and cancer clinic supporting us in this journey; and it has changed our outcome. Before I called CCRAN, we had to sit down and tell our young daughters for the third time that their dad has cancer and unsure if anything could be done. After the call and the support we received from CCRAN though, we were able to tell our daughters differently! Yes, their dad has recurrent cancer, but his medical team has a treatment plan in place and is working very hard to achieve a goal of no evidence of disease (NED) for him. We know nothing is absolute, and anything can happen, but we have hope, knowledge, and advocates as we navigate through this part of the journey with CCRAN, and that is a huge difference! Our story if one of hope. Cancer will not define us! Instead, our determination and willingness to do everything we possibly can to help my husband Ryan will define us as a united family. Thank you, CCRAN!

I will never forget the nurse coming out to get me and asking me to come back into the doctor’s office. It was my husband Geoff’s first routine colonoscopy. My heart sank, as I had already been through this with my dad and knew it could not be good news. All I remember hearing was Stage III and looking at Geoff’s face. How could this be? No signs and he was so young (52) and healthy. After the shock wore off, I was determined to find out everything I needed to do to help him get through this. Our journey began, and we went on to start our 12 rounds of chemo. We were fortunate enough to live right beside the Wellspring Cancer Centre in Oakville where we found out that a lady named Filomena Servidio-Italiano who ran a colorectal cancer information/support group met there once every month. Thank goodness we found this group. She was/is amazing. It was the first time we felt that maybe things will be alright. Her knowledge and connections were endless. I honestly don’t think she sleeps! Geoff was given the all-clear after his 12 rounds of chemo and we were thrilled. Then less than two years later it returned with a vengeance. Stage IV – colon, liver, lungs, and bones. I remember calling Filomena in tears and she said, “There are no tears here – together we are going to fight.” The next thing I know, she made sure we got in to see one of the best doctors so we could find out what our options were. We started chemo again, but unfortunately Geoff ended up with a fever after his second round and was hospitalized and passed away after becoming septic two months later. To this day, I look back and ask myself if there was something more I could have done. Well, if you ask Filomena, who is relentless in the fight against colon cancer, there is! Her/my new mission is to bring awareness to the fact that we need to be screened much earlier. I am so grateful to know Filomena and having three daughters, who will need to be screened, you can bet I am right on board with her.

“You have colon cancer. We need to remove the entire colon. It’s metastasized to your liver – stage four – incurable.” I had routine screenings, I exercised, ate healthy all my life, so I educated myself as to how this could have happened to me. But I was in shock from having heard those words – stage IV! So, I decided to have a pity day from which I could not rise. My husband decided to seek out a colorectal cancer information/support group hosted by Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN). Within the hour of sending an email, I heard back from Filomena, who heads up the group. She provided her phone number, told me to call her anytime, and invited us to the monthly Colorectal Cancer Information/Support Group meeting the next day. My husband Jeff and I attended, listened to the stories of others, and then told our story. I explained how two doctors had agreed I needed my entire colon removed because of the risk of secondary cancer. I disagreed. Filomena was reassuring, compassionate and asked if I was interested in a third opinion. That is when we learned Filomena was also a lightning bolt of action. Within a week, we met Dr. Shady Ashamalla – Colorectal Cancer Surgical Oncologist at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre. After a thorough review of my history and medical records, he didn’t think a complete colon removal was necessary. He recommended chemotherapy, a colon resection to remove just the impacted area, and a liver resection. This offered the possibility of as little change to my lifestyle as possible. This was the right solution for me. This was hope. I had five sessions of chemo and then a surgical date where both the colon and liver were resected during the same procedure. My recovery was faster than expected and now, four months later, I feel like my former self. There were many emotional bumps along the way where I found myself losing hope. In those moments, Filomena would show up to keep me on track. I don’t usually open up easily to new people much less give them influence over my decisions, but her inspiration was critical to keeping me focused, solution-driven, and hopeful. Since that time, I was also diagnosed with a recurrent nodule in my lungs and a potential recurrence in my abdomen. CCRAN saw to it that I obtained a PET/CT to ensure that timely treatment would be initiated to address this disease as well as recommended the best thoracic surgical oncologist with whom to consult over the lung nodules. I am not cured, but I am living my best life and will continue to as long as possible. I am also hopeful and when I am not, I know CCRAN will be there to set me straight. It isn’t an easy path, but with the right people there to guide and support you, the path is easier to walk. Please call CCRAN. I did. It was the best decision I made.

We all know her smile, her fun and carefree personality, her humour and calm, her compassion, her love that she shares unconditionally with all of us. She is the love of my life and soulmate. She is my Ana! You would never think it would happen to you or to someone you love. But in June 2019, my Ana was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. She had already conquered another cancer over 20 years ago and now it came back in another form – colon cancer. As devastating as it is, Ana is faced with another difficult journey and for me, a challenge immeasurable to any I have had in my life. That said, WE WILL OVERCOME the emotional, mental, and physical struggles that this disease will throw at us and WE WILL beat this disease together every step of the way! Ana has always been there for me, supporting me in every way possible, holding me, caring for me. Anything I needed, Ana is always there. Now, it is my turn to care for her. But we cannot, couldn’t do it alone. For a couple of months, we tried navigating the cancer and medical world seeking even the simplest answers only to be met by overwhelming and confusing challenges. Frustrated and desperate, we were at a loss on what to do next. We scrambled to seek the best care and treatment for Ana. Being denied by a major cancer center in Toronto, we had become hopeless until we were referred to Filomena at CCRAN by our naturopathic doctor, Eric Marsden. Within a week we found ourselves in contact with Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Center. As Ana’s caregiver, a sense of relief and undeniable hope was now foremost in our minds. CCRAN went above and beyond with just simple words and actions to facilitate the attention, care, and treatment we all needed. The continuous support, in person meetings, education, and knowledge base helped us understand the “here-and-now” and what lay ahead of us on this journey. The experiences of patients and caregivers (sometimes similar, sometimes different) at the support group meetings is of utmost importance and to be a part of an organization that shares, comforts, and understands the journey is immeasurable. This is a journey that CCRAN will undoubtedly be a part of, and we are eternally grateful and thankful to CCRAN for their support. CCRAN is a PATIENT-FOCUSED organization that has and continues to inform and support us in every step of our journey. I can confidently say, CCRAN helped save Ana’s life. She is undergoing a clinical trial of immunotherapy and responding so very well. Her tumours continue to shrink with every cycle she receives, and her quality of life is excellent. You would never know she is receiving cancer therapy. CCRAN will always be committed to educating and supporting all patients and their caregivers affected by this disease when called upon. The monthly colorectal cancer information/support group meetings, peer-to-peer support for patients and caregivers, research and information sharing on the latest advancements and expert presentations are among the resources available to us – for FREE. The amazing PATIENT ADVOCACY provided by CCRAN is what sets this organization apart from all others. I have never witnessed so much passion and dedication. Both Ana and I are grateful to be under CCRAN’s wing. Please consider contacting them if you or someone you know have been afflicted with the disease. Keep smiling, stay strong, much love!

My name is Linda Wilkins, and I am 74 years young today – fifteen years later, in no small measure because of the help I received from CCRAN. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in August 2005. I had surgery the following November to remove the primary tumour along with about 75 percent of my colon, followed by a full round of chemotherapy. Then in March of the following year, I had an operation to remove a metastasis in my right lung, followed by more chemo. It was then discovered that I had an “inoperable” tumour on the right side of my chest wall, and although we tried a round of radiation and more chemo, I was told by my oncologist that I would be considered palliative. Until this point, I was not made aware of the CCRAN support group that had recently been formed in 2006. I was just accepting the doctor’s prognosis verbatim. Luckily, I overheard a gentleman talking in the clinic about the CCRAN information/support group and of his personal treatment. So, I asked him a few questions and he advised me to come to a meeting the following Sunday. At the CCRAN monthly meetings, each of us talk about our individual situations and then we exchange ideas of how to help each other with our struggles and speak to our successes as well. The group leader, Filomena, brings a wealth of research information to each meeting and brings us up-to-date and explains in detail the latest findings. We come away empowered with more and more knowledge each time. And that is where my cancer journey got on the right track. I learned so much from that point on and never looked back. I did get the Avastin treatment in Buffalo (which is readily available today) and then I was able to get the “inoperable” operation at Toronto General Hospital with Filomena’s referral to the right thoracic surgeon. It is now eleven years later, and I am still No Evidence of Disease. Perhaps I am the exception, but I learned that the most important lesson here is to be your own advocate, and I pass it along to anyone who will listen, thanks to CCRAN and the invaluable support they offered me. I OWE THEM MY LIFE.

My name is Franca Christodoulou, and this is my story. At age 49, my husband Chris was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to his liver. As you can imagine, this came as a complete shock to us and changed our world forever. Our focus was to do everything possible to provide my husband the best treatment options so that he would be around for our precious family, as we have three young children; but we felt lost, confused, and helpless as we did not know where to turn to for guidance. I was made aware of CCRAN from a doctor I was accidently referred to and it changed our lives. I decided to call the number and spoke with Filomena, and as soon as I spoke with her, I indeed knew that I had called the right place. She was passionate, caring and had a wealth of knowledge. She encouraged us to attend monthly colorectal cancer information and support group meetings. We started to attend these meetings, and they have provided us with a wealth of information, support, and friendship. Filomena reviewed my husband’s case and made us aware of new options available to us. She was influential in connecting us to the right doctors, and my husband underwent surgery at Sunnybrook in August 2017 to insert a Hepatic Arterial Infusion pump for the treatment of his disease. CCRAN was instrumental in helping to make this treatment available in Canada through a clinical study at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. We feel truly blessed to have CCRAN take on the fight to provide patients with the best treatment options available and their tireless efforts to bring new treatment options to patients who might not otherwise have access. CCRAN provides guidance to all members who attend these monthly meetings and go above and beyond to help support all of us regardless of disease stage or where they are in their journey. I strongly recommend any patient who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer contact CCRAN. It could change your life.

My name is Bill McGinley. I am happily married to a beautiful woman named Kim, who I cherish, and I am the proud father of four wonderful daughters, Kaeleigh, Alleigh, Rowyn, and Ryleigh, all blessings who keep me on the straight and narrow! I was originally diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer at age 40. I was very fortunate that after a year of treatment, comprising of a month of radiation, followed by surgery and then adjuvant chemotherapy, I was No Evidence of Disease (NED) for 10 years. Unfortunately, in January 2018 at the age of 50, as a result of routine annual testing, I discovered that my cancer had returned, this time as stage 4, with early metastases in my lungs and my belly (retroperitoneum). I was devastated when I learned the news. After 10 years, when I thought for certain that my cancer was in the rearview mirror, it reared its ugly head again. The discovery was a very dark time for us. We had just finished a major renovation on our home, my career was flying high, and life was going great. After a couple days of tears and very brief meetings with doctors, with my head spinning, I had the good sense to reach out to Filomena Servidio-Italiano at Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN), for the second time in my life, for the purpose of finding hope and light in our time of darkness. Filomena and her advocacy and support group had played a big role in getting me through the darkness and into the light 10 years earlier – so it was instinct for me to reach out to her again for help. Filomena instantly remembered me, and while she was upset to learn that my cancer had returned, she was positive and upbeat right from the get-go, certain that she and CCRAN would accompany me on the second leg of my cancer journey, providing advocacy and support, for the purpose of achieving the best outcome possible. The CCRAN advocacy and support group that meets every third Sunday of the month is more than a collection of patients. It is full of caregivers and family members and is led by skilled advocates and facilitators. It is a community of people coming together to learn about their disease or well-being, as well as to share their journey for the purpose of feeling better, learning how to access the best care possible through the best doctors possible or how to put their best foot forward in staying well. The information provided during the monthly CCRAN meetings prepares me to ask my oncologist questions important to me during my visits with her. CCRAN has helped me access one of the top surgical oncologists in Canada. And sharing my journey with the group as well as being part of their journey, through sharing, is soothing for the soul. It has been two years now since my diagnosis in January 2018. After 24 months of chemotherapy, I am blessed to be in a period of remission. My latest CT scans show 95% of the tumours have resolved. I have actually taken chemo holidays throughout these past two years, which have been wonderful. I am optimistic about my meeting with the oncologist, but no matter what the news, I am prepared to tackle things head on, with faith, the love of family and friends and the continued advocacy and support of Filomena and Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network.

My name is Marie Taurasi, I am 44 years old, and I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in January 2015. It all started back in November 2014. I was having very few symptoms, but I decided to have myself checked out anyway. I underwent a colonoscopy, and that is when my world came crashing down. I was told that I had stage 3 colorectal cancer. All I could think of was the heartache my husband and two children (age 13 and 17) were feeling and what also went through my head at the time was “What is going to happen to me?” I had my 13-year-old daughter look into my eyes with tears and ask, “Mom, are you going to die?” My heart sank; my life and world as I had known it were shattered. This could not be happening to me. Cancer?! Thankfully, a friend introduced me to my “angel,” Filomena Servidio-Italiano at CCRAN. I immediately called her, and from the moment we spoke, I knew I was in the best hands possible. She calmed me down and educated me on my disease, which I knew nothing about. I had heard very little about colorectal cancer and never truly understood it. She changed all that. She then referred me to the best cancer centre and team of oncologists. My journey had begun. Once all was put in place, I underwent radiation and chemotherapy for my rectal cancer in March 2015. In July I underwent surgery and had my tumour removed by the most highly skilled surgical oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre, Dr. Ashamalla. After six weeks, I did additional chemotherapy. I have to say CCRAN has been there from the very beginning, offering guidance and support day or night. Without CCRAN, I would not be where I am today! I am also grateful to have an amazing and supportive husband and two wonderful children. I am grateful for the ongoing support of family and friends who have been there for me during this difficult time. Throughout this journey with the education, support, and guidance of CCRAN, I have learned a lot about this disease and one thing is “this is not an old person’s disease.” This disease can affect all ages. It does not discriminate. We need to educate ourselves and be proactive as much as possible. We need to eat healthy, exercise moderately, and assume a healthy lifestyle in general so that we can try to prevent colorectal cancer. In the event one does get diagnosed, assuming a healthy lifestyle will come in handy in trying to prevent a recurrence such as in my case. Unbeknown to me, colorectal cancer is the most preventable cancer through screening! People need to be aware of the signs and symptoms though so that we can beat this disease once and for all. This is where CCRAN comes in. This is an organization that is here for people like you and me, who desperately require support, guidance, and above all education so that we can get through the ups and downs that we go through when battling this horrible disease. CCRAN furnishes patients and caregivers with valuable monthly support groups wherein we are able to tell our stories and receive the best up-to-date information about the management of the disease and the most current medicines and therapies designed to help us. I am so fortunate that I started my journey with CCRAN because without them I would not be “cancer-free today”! What a gift they gave not only to me but to my precious children and husband! Thank you, Filomena, for all your support and guidance you have given me and my family! You truly are an angel! If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, please contact CCRAN, for it will be the best decision you will make throughout your journey, I promise you that. They have made a huge difference in my life… they gave it back to me!!

“You have colorectal cancer…and it’s been there for a long time.” Five years ago, these words changed my life forever. For three years prior, I had been misdiagnosed only to find I had late-stage disease. I began a treatment path wrought with medical errors, unnecessary suffering, and preventable delays that caused disease to progress. The clock was ticking, and I was in dire need of advocacy and competent care. Finally, a friend from an online support group recommended CCRAN. I have endured a colon resection and multiple lung resections in addition to SBRT to my lungs. I nevertheless remain hopeful. I am alive today because of CCRAN’s advocacy, empowerment, and research in action. CCRAN opened a new path toward healing after years of dismissal for being a healthy woman under 50. Today, I receive timely scans, treatments, and operations for the first time and have access to the latest research. I have hope and a stable outlook towards cure because of CCRAN. It is an organization no one in Canada should be without in navigating a colorectal cancer diagnosis. I am forever grateful.

We all search for purpose in our life. That purpose, for many, is a lifelong journey. For me, that journey to seek purpose started in June 2019. Diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with metastases to my liver, I began a new, challenging and certainly, unwanted journey. However, I did not endure this journey alone. With the support of family, friends, CCRAN and my medical team, my journey would be fought with passion, knowledgeable action, and research. Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN) expedited the process by supporting me and my family with knowledge, through research and monthly meetings, advocating passionately through actionable steps all of which guided me to my treatment at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Center. Being admitted to an immunotherapy clinical trial in Dec 2019 proved to be the step that has now put me on the path to recovery. Although my early days on this journey were tough and challenging, today I can say I’m feeling great! And through this journey I found my purpose. To live an extraordinary life. Helping others much like CCRAN has helped me is a flag I wave proudly. The advocacy, knowledge, and support are the pillars of CCRAN. And I have learned that this disease is highly preventable through screening. We need to get the word out to help avoid diagnoses like mine – I was diagnosed at such an early age. CCRAN has been by my side every step of the way throughout my journey. I am humbled and forever grateful for the tireless support that CCRAN has provided.

I was diagnosed in 2018 (at 56 years of age) with Stage 2/Early 3 colorectal cancer. Not only was I in shock, but I felt alone. I reached out to CCRAN, and they held my hand amidst many tears. They were comforting and kind – even to a stranger. After radiation and two surgeries, I am healing, both physically and mentally. It really is a long road, with plenty of unknowns. Now when I reach out to CCRAN, it may be to share a medical update, an article, or a light joke! Thank you CCRAN for all you do for those in need.

Cancer is a nightmare-adventure. I fought and won mine, while my husband Vincent is currently battling his. We believe attitude is everything, so together we tackle it with faith, hope, and love. From 2016 through 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage I ovarian cancer. This involved a series of several inconclusive tests followed by surgery and six chemo treatments. Ultimately, I won my battle. Unfortunately, since 2018, my husband has been diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer as well as metastatic colorectal cancer. My husband is my hero. He dragged me to the chemo appointments I balked at, saying he wasn’t going to lose me, and we had to do whatever it took. He was right. It saved my life. But due to the current covid-19 pandemic, I cannot go with him to his appointments, which is extremely frustrating and disappointing. In his thyroid cancer battle, Vince has had two operations and subsequent Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Treatments. For his colorectal cancer, he’s had a week of radiation and is currently in the midst of several ongoing chemotherapy treatments. I do what I can, which generally consists of being on the telephone arranging his medical appointments and advocating for him with his medical team. We are thankful to have discovered the wonderful people at CCRAN, headed by Filomena Servidio-Italiano, President and CEO. This organization offers invaluable information and peer support. As well, during the pandemic, they offer monthly Zoom video-meetings where the latest research is discussed by guest experts in the medical field. Impressively, CCRAN’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of several of the top colorectal cancer specialists across Canada. Ms. Servidio-Italiano is an integral part of our team. Her suggestions are always invaluable. When asked, Filomena actively got involved with his medical team, who clearly hold her and CCRAN, in high esteem. Vinnie and I are determined to ride this out to the best conclusion with positive attitudes. During these difficult times (currently amidst a global pandemic) with family and friends, and especially CCRAN in our corner, we feel truly blessed.

In June 2019, shortly after turning 50, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and I didn’t realize the roller-coaster ride that I was about to undergo. After a routine colonoscopy – no symptoms, no family history of cancer – they discovered a rectal mass. The mass turned out to be a cancerous tumour – equivalent to stage 3 – and there was also a concern that the cancer could spread through adjacent lymph nodes. I was gob smacked. I was – and still am – a perfectly healthy individual, highly energetic with numerous physical activities. Suddenly they were talking about surgery, removing my rectum, and leaving me with a colostomy since the tumour was situated very low. I went into a mental tailspin as I contemplated what life might be like with a ‘pouch’ – or worse – and had some very dark days. To make the tumour more operable, I underwent chemo-radiation, and experienced the common side effects including difficulty sitting and carrying a special type of pillow to sit on at meetings. When the radiation had run its course, the treatment was so effective that it had eliminated the tumour, at least visibly! The surgeon was cautiously optimistic, and I went on a program of frequent “monitoring” – scans every three months – but it looked like I might be able to avoid the dreaded surgery. During the first scan, the surgeon performed a biopsy of the area and when he shared the results, they were not entirely favourable. The area contained “dysplastic” (on the verge of becoming cancerous) cells, so to be cautious, I underwent intravenous chemo for six cycles. I had many of the side effects common to chemo, including nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, painful “first bites,” but I survived and still considered myself fortunate to make it through in one piece. During a more recent scan last summer, the surgeon performed another biopsy and this time full-blown cancerous cells were detected. No doubt now – I had to have the surgery. The rectum had to go. Another period of blackness – and uncertainty. It was only on the morning of the surgery, as they were about to administer the anesthetic, that the surgeon informed me that he would be able to preserve anal function and the ostomy would be temporary. After the first surgery, to remove my rectum, the surgeon told me he had achieved “healthy margins” and even all the surrounding lymph nodes – he extracted thirteen – tested negative. What a relief! Although the ileostomy was cumbersome (“high maintenance” would be a good word for it), I looked forward to reversal – and resuming a normal life. But after the second surgery to reconnect the plumbing, I came to realize my bowel function was severely compromised since the tumour was so low in the rectum. I was going to the toilet 50 times (or more) during the day, and gradually understood that I have Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS). I had difficulty leaving the house for any period. My wife and I went shopping one Saturday afternoon and it proved to be disastrous; I had to run to the washroom about six times in the span of an hour. Even doing an errand as simple as going to get pizza ran the risk of “going” in the car. The months of November and December were some of the blackest I have ever experienced. I was so frustrated I would cry, yell at my wife, and had some very dark thoughts. Filomena, bless her soul, was willing to make time for me and helped “talk me off the ledge” a couple of times. In January, I started using the Coloplast Peristeen system, and it has been a game-changer. I use it once a day, every morning, and since it allows you to deliver a “super enema,” you clean out a large section of your colon and don’t have to go for a very long time. So far – and it is early days – the results of using it have been highly favorable – half the time I can go all day (and all night) without having any output, the other half I go once (and only once!) about an hour or so after dinner. I am going shopping again with my wife – the highlight of our week during this lockdown! And I have returned to work (from home in this pandemic), able to concentrate fully and meet the challenges and stresses of my executive job head-on. I don’t know what the future will hold – as I write this, I am scheduled for another “checkpoint” colonoscopy in a couple of weeks – but thus far I have been able to resume my life, continue my job, and maintain the stable and positive mental outlook which I have held for so long. I hope to remain cancer-free for many more years to come, and of course, am grateful that support groups such as CCRAN exist and flourish in the community.

Stage 3 rectal cancer diagnosis, three oncologists (radiation, medical and surgical), CT scans, MRI’s, 25 radiation sessions, chemotherapy, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, neuropathy, surgery, permanent colostomy, more chemotherapy – this, I was told, would be my year long journey. How can one possibly process and cope with all of this? I had no idea. My medical team was wonderful – skillful, knowledgeable, and very compassionate, yet the anxiety overwhelmed me. I desperately needed help – and then I found CCRAN. I attended my first meeting just after chemo/radiation but before my life altering surgery. When it was my turn to speak, all I could do was cry. Filomena and the CCRAN members (all strangers to me) were so warm and caring – they really understood what I was going through because many of them were either on or had finished the same or similar journey. I knew that the help I needed would be found in this group. They shared, they cared, and they let me know that they were there for me. Make no mistake, CCRAN is not a “pity party” – I wouldn’t have stayed if that had been the case. CCRAN provides colorectal cancer research updates and is a place where you can get questions answered as well as share information and experiences. In addition, we have had terrific guest speakers who have addressed the physical, emotional, and nutritional needs of colorectal cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors. I am now almost four years NED (no evidence of disease) – a survivor. I still find it hard to believe that I got through it all, but I do know that the wonderful people and work of CCRAN made my journey easier to bear. I will forever be grateful.

I am a 57-year-old tech executive who has maintained a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly (2nd Dan in Karate and an avid basketball player having played at a high level), following a vegetarian diet, etc. So, it came as a massive shock when a colonoscopy in early 2019 revealed that, what my family doctor and I thought was IBS, turned out to be a growth in my colon. This was fully diagnosed as stage IV colorectal cancer on April Fool’s Day 2019, with tumors spread to my liver. I started immediately on a course of chemotherapy. In the meantime, I also started researching as much as I could on the treatment methods. To that end, I started searching out advocacy groups and those that could help in my endeavours. It was during this time that I was introduced to Filomena at CCRAN. I was immediately impressed by her energy and drive towards helping patients, caregivers, and those involved in some way with the fight against cancer. I had been exploring several trial programs, and to my delight, found that Filomena was on very good terms with all the principals associated with these programs with some of them being on her advisory board. She was also able to guide me and introduce me to other programs I had not come across and found her advocacy to be fantastic. She has been described as a “force of nature,” but this is really an understatement of her verve, enthusiasm, and unrelenting pursuit of finding ways of helping patients. CCRAN has been infused with this culture and this bodes well for anyone who comes into contact with CCRAN. I find much solace in our conversations and monthly sessions where we, as patients, can also learn from each other. Overall, I would highly recommend getting involved with CCRAN through any mode that is suitable for you.

One day, I had a pain in my abdomen. The next day, I had emergency surgery to remove part of my colon and was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The receipt of a cancer diagnosis is quite unsettling and causes significant anxiety largely as a result of the uncertainty created by a lack of understanding of the nature of the disease, the nature and side effects of the various alternative treatments of the disease and the potential outcomes of the treatment of the disease. I was blessed with both an excellent oncologist and surgical oncologist and a supportive family who tirelessly researched my disease on the internet. I was equally blessed to have been introduced to Filomena and CCRAN shortly after my diagnosis. Filomena immediately understood the nature of my particular colon cancer and confirmed the advice of my oncologist and the research performed by my family, which was essentially to the effect that I should undergo six months of chemotherapy, after which I would hopefully qualify for cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. Filomena then invited my wife and me to attend one of CCRAN’s monthly meetings, which we did. At that meeting, as we went around the room with everyone explaining their particular journey, it turned out that there were two individuals present who had a similar form of cancer to mine and had already completed their chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. After attending just that initial meeting and listening to each patient’s story together with Filomena’s guidance, I had a much clearer understanding of the journey I was about to undertake. I would highly recommend that any colorectal patient contact Filomena at CCRAN immediately upon receipt of a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Although each patient is unique, Filomena has a complete understanding of the intricacies of the various forms of cancer, an up-to-date understanding of the various colorectal cancer treatments, including the most recent clinical trials, and the experience to assist patients navigate their way through our healthcare system. In addition, CCRAN’s monthly meetings present clinical research updates so CCRAN patients have the most up-to-date knowledge possible to assist them in their journey and to have meaningful dialogue with their oncologists. I am very grateful to Filomena, CCRAN, and every colorectal patient that has attended any of the CCRAN monthly meetings I have attended either in person or via Zoom, as I have learned something from each of them.

In 2008, several years before we met, my husband Bill was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer. With a combination of surgery, chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and careful monitoring—with no detection of spread—he thought he’d beaten the disease for good. A decade later, however, the cancer came back. In 2018, Bill received the diagnosis of Stage IV colorectal cancer with metastatic disease. This was Bill’s second cancer journey, my first. In those early days, I cried all the time. I was always crying: imagining myself not waking up beside him every day. As a caregiver, I felt lost and disorganized. Cancer is a whole new world of language unto itself. And we were in a situation where surgery wasn’t possible. What happens when they can’t cut it out? When you are part of a patient population where complex therapies are the best and only option, understanding them is incredibly important. I knew that for my husband’s sake I had to get past the tears. When we came to CCRAN, I soon found the monthly peer support group sessions activated my natural sense of curiosity and helped me to overcome the fear and negativity. And when I began to receive the scientific cotes from CCRAN by email, they contained much actionable information and helped me to feel less helpless. In my work, I like to be smart and organized—to have the right words. I wanted to use those same skills to help Bill. With CCRAN’s help, I gradually acquired the vocabulary. When Bill had conversations with his care team about what avenues of treatment or therapies he might try, I was able to listen purposefully, make sense of the information we were given, and better support his journey. More than anything, though, I am grateful for how CCRAN has brought us together with other patients. The shared experience and the learning have turned a potentially lonely and isolating battle on its head. Through the many supportive conversations I’ve witnessed, and been part of, I have seen despair turn to hope right in front of my eyes. I’ve watched grown men change their attitudes and say, “I’m not going to be afraid of chemotherapy anymore!” because they were inspired by another patient’s bravery and determination. And I’ve been comforted to know I’m not alone, having seen my own journey reflected in other caregivers. There’s a woman I’ll never forget, because she was so much like me: her husband was calm, and she was frantic with notebooks and pens during the monthly support group sessions. “What was that word?” she would ask, or “How do you spell that?” I thought to myself: this woman is in the right place. She will learn the right words here.

My name is Dan Wadsworth, I am a stage IV colorectal cancer patient, diagnosed at the age of 40. My cancer journey began in a way that was very shocking and took us tremendously off guard – I was sitting in an ER room, having just heard the news I had cancer (likely stage 4, which was confirmed shortly thereafter). My mind was initially filled with fear and a list of questions/thoughts too long to even count. Some of those answers were answered in short order as colorectal cancer was confirmed, as was metastatic disease in my liver and likely lungs. Being a husband and a father of 5 young children, the diagnosis and subsequent initial path was quite a difficult one to face and navigate, after struggling for a while through various issues, I was very fortunate to be referred to Filomena and the team at CCRAN. After that very first discussion with Filomena, I felt something that had been very elusive to me – hope in this journey and a path/plan forward. After 6 months of chemotherapy with a very good response to treatment I was able to have successful liver surgery which removed the disease in my liver with clean margins, the primary tumor upon a subsequent colonoscopy was found to be only scar tissue and no malignancy found any longer, confirmed by multiple biopsies. Currently, I am doing systemic therapy (chemotherapy) after a 7 month break to target the disease in my lungs, and again with CCRAN’s help I was able to secure a consult with one of the top thoracic surgeons available, which offers good potential for the future. CCRAN has additionally helped me by offering practical and concrete steps along with much needed support in the form of regular meetings with other colorectal cancer patients. Combined with my faith, my family, as well as the support and guidance of CCRAN are 3 vital pillars I rely on in my journey. It is hard to describe the vast difference in how I feel before connecting with CCRAN and since, but I can say that I am very fortunate to be connected now with the organization and I would without hesitation recommend any and all colorectal cancer patients to connect with CCRAN. I feel confident now that my care and support team is complete, which CCRAN holds a large part of. To have the support and guidance CCRAN offers is invaluable to anyone facing a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Our journey with cancer started on the morning of Mother’s Day in 2017. In truth, looking back, it started long before then. I had been feeling tired for a long time, but who wouldn’t be? I was a mom to two young children. I had a demanding career, and we were a busy household. I was trying to do it all, making dinners, driving kids to their activities, helping with homework, all after putting in twelve-hour workdays, trying to meet $9M quotas in the Public Health Sector for a prominent telecommunications company. Eventually, it all became too much. I was working longer days and would come home exhausted. My family were getting less and less quality time with me. I would spend free time on the weekends catching up on chores and sleeping the rest of the time. Spending time with my husband and the kids outdoors biking, hiking, and skiing doing things that I loved was becoming infrequent and became nonexistent in late 2016. Things were becoming so overwhelming, that I gave up my career that I had poured all my heart into for 15 years. A career that was a labor of love – developing communication strategies for hospitals and outpatient care centers to improve the quality of health care for Canadians. The only aspect of my job that I didn’t enjoy was the time spent in hospitals in meetings in windowless, sterile offices. When I left my position at TELUS, I vowed that if I never entered a hospital again, it would be too soon. Little did I know that I would be spending more time in hospitals than ever before. The tiredness became insurmountable. It wasn’t uncommon for me to fall asleep on my son’s bed from sheer exhaustion of having just made it. I also had a recurring sharp pain on my right side that I dismissed as a pulled muscle. My family physician was stumped. My bloodwork was near perfect, with the one exception of low iron levels – all easily treatable. We didn’t realize then that the symptoms I was experiencing were all warning signs. We had no reason to suspect colon cancer, as my FIT test came back clear. My physician confidently declared “you are the picture of health” and handed me a prescription for iron tablets. I went home feeling frustrated and disappointed with myself. I had failed my career, and I was failing my family, no longer having the energy to put a decent meal on the table. I had convinced myself that I was simply depressed, or worse yet, being lazy. It still didn’t explain this pain on my right side that now included my right shoulder and ran down my right arm, often causing me to lose all feeling in my right hand. I would drop dishes regularly and make light of it, often declaring “Opa, mom’s done it again.” The months went by, and my health was declining rapidly now. It wasn’t until early May of 2017 that I found myself at our walk-in clinic with my daughter. We were there for her sore throat. When the doctor was done assessing her, my 11-year-old suggested that I tell the doctor what was happening with me, and so I did. The doctor listened as I listed my symptoms. She looked over my recent labs and stated, “I am going to schedule you for the dreaded C word (colonoscopy) to rule out the other dreaded C word (cancer).” I left her office relieved that my daughter would be fine and incredulous that she thought I needed a colonoscopy. What non-smoking, active 43-year-old needs a colonoscopy, I thought to myself. I woke from what would be first of many colonoscopies to see a pained expression on my GI’s face while asking if my husband was with me and to wait in his office so he could speak with us both. I thought to myself that he was being awfully formal for delivering the news that he found a bleeding ulcer, something that I had before. I was in disbelief when he announced that he had found a growth on my sigmoid, and there was a chance it was cancer. I was referred to a GI specialist, with an appointment for September – an appointment that I never made it to. Bright and early on May 14th, I woke to the laughter of Jasmin & Eric, then 8, as they leaped onto my bed, smothering me with hugs as they declared “Happy Mother’s Day!” followed by pleading with me to get ready for a day at our local park by the lake, as was our family tradition. I was busy packing our things for our picnic when my husband said, “You don’t look well: you’re shaking like a leaf and you’re so pale. We should go to the hospital to be safe. I’m worried about you.” I knew he was right, so I promised to go to the ER, if he vowed to take the kids to the lake where I would meet up with them afterwards. With that, my dearest friend Louise and I headed to the hospital, at her insistence that she come along. She spent numerous hours with me as I waited to be seen. I eventually got her to agree to going home to her family. I didn’t see any reason for her special day to be ruined by my shenanigans. It is now early evening, and my husband is now on his way hoping that I’d be done soon, and we’d be able to salvage this day. After countless blood draws, followed by scans, I am sitting on the edge of the gurney in a hospital ER when I notice a group of people in white lab coats gathered around a light board to look at images, that I assume are x-rays. Some have their head tilted, while others scratch their head, I can only imagine that they are doctors and these images have them puzzled. I grow increasingly uneasy as one turns back to look at me. I frantically call my husband who is now parking the car, and ask him to hurry, I have a bad feeling about all of this. With my husband’s arrival, the doctor who I had seen gathered with the others walks towards us with the images. Sharif and I reach for each other’s hand as we hear the words that will forever change our lives – “I am so sorry to tell you that you have cancer.” He is still speaking, but I can’t hear a word he’s saying. All I can do is hold on to Sharif’s hand, while the ground beneath me falls away. I was in disbelief. Surely, they have this wrong. It wasn’t until much later that evening, that a kind radiologist sat with me while we counted the tumors on my liver that now resembled a spotted dalmatian. We never did know how many there were exactly as we felt we didn’t need to continue once we reached twenty. The CT radiology report simply read “there are too many to count.” I was admitted that evening and met with the Oncologist the next day, where we learned I was incurable, I had roughly 5 to 6 months, chemo would be palliative and I most likely would not be returning home. As devastating as the news was, I had a sense of relief in finally knowing what was wrong with me. Finally, we could get to the business of recovery. With that, I began chemotherapy one day after being diagnosed. I spent my days chatting with nurses and other cancer patients, and my nights reading medical journals, trying to learn as much about my disease as possible. I focused on the probability of surviving stage IV CRC, which was bleak. I wanted no part of the timeline I was given, so I shifted my attention to finding cases where stage IV cancer patients were not only outliving their timeline but thriving. I had an incredibly positive response to chemotherapy, with a drastic drop in CEA to 824 from an initial skyrocketing number of 6082. After one month of being in hospital, I was discharged, just in time to attend my daughter’s dance recital. In July, I transferred my care to an oncologist that shared my lofty vision of one day being operable. Our highly regarded and cherished oncologist was running a clinical trial for HAI pump chemo. A process where a hockey puck sized pump is implanted in the abdomen, delivering chemo directly to the liver. The hope was to reduce the volume of tumors on my liver, so that we could get to a liver resection. This was the first time we had discussed the removal of my primary tumor on my colon. In that moment, I knew I wanted to take this gift of hope and pay it forward by raising awareness. My oncologist strongly suggested I reach out to Filomena at CCRAN. Little did I know just how much Filomena would forever change the trajectory of our family’s life. I will never forget the first time I spoke with Filomena. I was still coming to terms with our diagnosis and was so uncertain of our future. Having done so much reading, I was left with more questions than answers. Filomena was reassuring, and she had several questions of her own for me so that she could fully understand the gravity of our situation and how to best go about helping us. That first call with her was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and a profound appreciation for the work that she does through CCRAN. A few months later in October, I received my Codman pump and learned that my primary tumor on my colon was all but gone, sparing us from an ostomy. The dream of seeing our children graduate from elementary school was becoming a real possibility. While HAI did not get us to a liver resection it did keep my cancer stable long enough to qualify me for a Living Donor Liver Transplant at UHN. I received my gift of life from our guardian angel, Jorge, on May 1st of 2019. We have been cautiously NED for two years now and our daughter has since started high school, with our son not far behind her. When we first started considering liver transplant, I had a lot of hesitation and so many questions. What does life after transplant look like? Is it safe for our living donor? How do we go about finding our special donor? Thankfully, the transplant team and our extraordinary Oncology Transplant Surgeon at Toronto General Hospital patiently addressed our concerns. For months I agonized over whether transplant was the right way forward. Liver transplants for mCRC had never been done before in Canada. I could possibly be the first, and that’s when I connected with the very first and only Living Donor Liver Transplant recipient from mCRC in North America. Carol’s journey was so remarkably like my own. She was an active, healthy young mother to two children, had undergone HAI, and finally received her gift of life in the spring of 2018. Carol’s willingness to openly share her journey, gave me the confidence to move forward. We often don’t recognize how invaluable our personal stories are to others. They give us hope, when too often there is so little. Finding CCRAN was like finding my tribe, an empowered group of likeminded individuals looking for a clear path forward. I am forever grateful to Filomena for having the vision to create this safe place for us to voice our deepest fears and share our personal victories. I have gained so much knowledge from the research that Filomena brings to us. It is this shared knowledge that empowers us to advocate for ourselves. It is solely through her encouragement that I lend my voice to raising awareness of this disease. Her passion and dedication are both inspiring and infectious. It is hard to believe that it has been four years since I was diagnosed. As I reflect on our journey that has been filled with obstacles, disappointments, and sadness; it has also brought us hope, special bonds of kinship that will never be broken. I will carry our dear friends who were called away far too soon in my heart. I will continue to raise awareness for as long as I possibly can, in honor of them. I will cherish this gift and the many blessings I have received by crossing streams, flying down mountains, and chasing our dreams.

Receiving a stage IV rectal cancer diagnosis with metastases to the liver was certainly not what I was expecting to hear or do in my next chapter. Six months prior, I had made the decision to leave a job that just didn’t fit anymore. I had a 3-4 hour commute every day. I came home one night and said I just can’t do it anymore. I listened to my intuition. Six months later, I received my diagnosis, so it was very clear to me what the job ahead of me looked like and so began my healing journey. So many lessons learned along the way. …. Our colon’s role is to release all that toxicity and let go! Our liver holds our anger and resentment. I must say I feel much healthier and stronger than I did two years ago prior to my diagnosis. Spending the time to “hire” the best medical team and the most amazing holistic healing team my journey then began. CCRAN became a part of that team earlier this year. I did not know anything about the organization until I met someone in acupuncture who was involved. Filomena has been a true blessing. Her knowledge and expertise are so valuable, and I am so grateful for her support. I also started participating in the monthly Zoom calls which I find so valuable, talking to those going through similar experiences. CCRAN – it’s one of those organizations that is a must for anyone going through a similar diagnosis. When I left my day job years ago, I was asked what I would be doing next, and I confidently said, “I don’t know what it looks like, but I know how it feels and I know it will be about women and wellness.” And this I believe will be the next chapter for me. With so much gratitude!

In January 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 37. To say it was a shock is a complete understatement – I had been visiting doctors since the birth of my first daughter four years earlier with symptoms that were brushed off as being a new mom. In retrospect, these symptoms all pointed towards colon cancer. I was told I was inoperable and incurable and proceeded to start aggressive chemotherapy. After 10 rounds, I had a remarkable response and was approved for surgery. In October of 2020, I had a total proctocolectomy. Unfortunately, during that surgery, additional metastases were found, and what I thought would be my treatment plan fell apart – I was doomed to have just more chemotherapy. I felt completely lost and alone. I was sharing these feelings with another CRC patient, and she told me about the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network or CCRAN and Filomena. She urged me to contact her right away. I was hesitant but sent off an email anyway. Filomena responded immediately and set up a call for the next day. That first call with CCRAN, hearing Filomena’s positive, reassuring voice on the other end, gave me information I desperately needed that was not provided to me by my cancer centre. In the 10 months that have followed since that first phone call, I’ve been able to connect with Filomena when my treatment plan has had to change again and was able to push for surgical options when my doctors told me there were none. CCRAN’s newsletters, research updates, online support group meetings, and patient education sessions have filled a void for me and have given me knowledge I didn’t have before to advocate for myself. I can’t tell you how important a tool that has become to me – to be able to advocate for myself. Self-advocacy in cancer is critically important. It means being able to move forward in an informed, confident, and competent manner so that you can access treatments to keep you thriving. Especially when you have little ones depending on you. When I am connected to other CRC patients, I strongly recommend they reach out to CCRAN as soon as possible, especially when they’ve been given few options by their medical team.

My first memory of cancer as being something bad was when my grandfather died of the disease when I was three. When I got a little older, I learned he died of colon cancer, and he was only in his mid-fifties. When I was in my early thirties, I began working for cancer charities, focusing on raising money for cancer research and patient support services. I continued working in that field until my diagnosis in 2019. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, one month shy of my 43rd birthday. I had a 14 cm mass in my sigmoid, zero lymph node involvement and 1 small metastasis on my liver. The sigmoid mass was removed with clear margins and the liver met was resolved with six months of chemo (CAPOX). It’s been a little over a year since my last treatment and I’m currently considered “NED” or in remission. Born in the USA to Canadian and British gypsy parents, I’ve always enjoyed travelling and experiencing new cultures. Of all the places I’ve been, India, Jordan and Argentina were my top three! I did most of my travelling while I was living in downtown Vancouver and had easy SkyTrain access to YVR. Getting to another country was pretty simple back then! In 2016, I moved from Vancouver to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, bought a fixer upper and changed my focus from travelling to building a home. Before my diagnosis, I was very active. I enjoyed running on the seawall, hiking on the North Shore, playing field hockey with the Meralomas, and mountain biking all around the lower mainland. Now I spend most of my time helping my husband with DIY projects around the house, gardening, doing short hikes close to home and getting out on a mountain bike when my bowels are feeling like they’re going to cooperate. Fatigue is also still an issue for me, but bowel cooperation is definitely the biggest issue. I was fortunate to not require “a bag” but losing 20 cm of large intestine and my entire sigmoid (the holding tank) makes the bathroom situation a significant challenge. Despite it being widely known that there is no cure for cancer, sometimes I think the average person loses sight of that fact. It is possible for my cancer to never come back, but the reality is, 86% of the people who receive the same diagnosis that I did, will die within five years. Since my diagnosis, what I’ve learned from Filomena and the wonderful members of the CCRAN support group, is that while it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle and to learn as much as we can about our disease, there really are no guarantees. So, for now, I just focus on living a good life and being prepared for but not worrying about the possibility of having to deal with cancer again in the future. A wise friend once told me, whatever it is, you can handle it. I try to remind myself of that when I’m feeling overwhelmed by it all.

My life changed forever when, eight years ago, at the age of 42, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. At the time, I was a busy working mom of three little ones and my first thought was “I’ll have to get this sorted out right away; I have far too much on my plate for this to be happening.” Then, as the reality of my diagnosis started sinking in, I realized that it wasn’t going to be as easy as that… I had not one but two tumors, and while the initial plan of attack was surgery and then chemo if needed, it quickly got much more complicated after an MRI determined there may be lymph nodes impacted as well. My surgeon, Dr. Peter Stotland, referred me to the team at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook and I quickly began six weeks of daily radiation and oral chemotherapy to shrink the tumors in order to be able to safely remove them and to also treat the possibly affected lymph nodes. I then had laparoscopic surgery to remove 40% of my colon. I was very lucky, my results were very favourable, with no spread and clean margins. I underwent five months of adjuvant chemo as an “insurance policy” and made sure to do all I could physically, mentally, and spiritually to heal myself. It was around the time that I started the adjuvant chemo that I met Filomena at CCRAN. My husband met someone who had recently lost his wife to colorectal cancer, and he put us in touch with Filomena. In my case, while much of my treatment plan was decided before meeting her, Filomena’s support in my continuing journey has been a God sent. Oftentimes, an individual’s journey doesn’t end with the last treatment… there are follow up appointments and tests where new – hopefully benign – issues may be discovered. Having Filomena’s support has truly helped me navigate these frightening situations. While having access to exceptional medical staff is crucial to a patient’s care, having an advocate who will listen to your fears, work through your results with you and ensure you are receiving the attention you need is truly invaluable. When I look back on my journey, I feel truly blessed with my outcome and I am so very appreciative of the ongoing support system I have in CCRAN and Filomena specifically. It is my hope that anyone diagnosed with colorectal cancer is given an opportunity as early on as possible to connect with CCRAN and benefit from all they have to offer – it may very well save their life.

Back in 2015, giving birth to my child and being a busy mom, I ignored some very basic symptoms of colon cancer such as cramps, stomach pains, constant bloating, etc. But then again, many people complain about this all the time, so I didn’t think much of it. Years before of this, I had a constant decline in my iron levels to the point where it became dangerously low, and I needed to be in the hospital to get transfusions in order to keep my iron levels up. My doctor initially kept blaming it on not enough iron in my diet, telling me to eat more spinach, for example, and also blamed it on my menstrual cycle. However, when I look back now on my blood work, my iron was completely off, and I am really surprised this was not investigated further. But I had 100% trust in the doctors and the system. I was a young patient and this likely accounted for the attitude. Not one doctor investigated the source of my very low iron and all I was given were short term remedies rather than an investigation into the true root cause for the low iron levels. So, taking iron pills – up to three pills a day for years and years – I was unable to see any blood in my stool. In 2018, when my son was three years of age, I saw drops of blood in my stool, and I knew something was wrong, but I dismissed it until I saw more blood. That is when I went to the emergency one day. That day was when I was told I had cancer after they did a CT scan to identify the root cause. I ended up getting my surgery and my treatment for stage 3 colon cancer at North York General Hospital. My fears of this disease and having a young child was challenging. I desperately wanted to reach out to someone or some support group to help me get through this. As much as I can say my family was supportive, I needed to talk to people who knew my disease and were going through what I was going through. I remember being referred to Filomena’s group and this is when our relationship started. She was amazing, accommodating and from the beginning made me feel so comfortable, welcome and at ease. Going to those support group meetings and getting reassurance and advice from her (obviously on top of my oncologist) was invaluable and helped me understand my disease better and deal with my fears and feelings. I want everyone who reads this and is diagnosed with colorectal cancer or knows someone who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer to know that there is help out there, there is hope and there are people you can talk to about your journey. I am three years out from my disease now, being monitored and feeling better and optimistic that one day I can put this behind me. Please know that you are not alone. Together, we can do this.

I was told I had colorectal cancer a week after my 37th birthday. Misdiagnosis, surgeries, miscarriage, pain, and delays led up to this diagnosis. Doctors dismissed my concern that something was terribly wrong, and they assured me I was too young to have cancer. My nana passed away at age 54 from colon cancer, and she too was told she was too young and healthy to have this cancer. Since my parents had no polyps, there seemed to be no concern for me. Little did we all know that I have a rare genetic disease that grows lots of polyps. One of my sisters was screened right after me and discovered she had the same disease but minus the cancer. She had no symptoms. My symptoms started a year prior, and they evolved: pelvis ache, tailbone pain, and bowel habit changes. All were blamed on something other than cancer. I had low iron for years but was told it was from my vegan diet. I just thought my body had a hard time absorbing iron. I was told I was inoperable, and I would likely only live three to five more years. My cancer had spread to my lungs. I was told from another cancer patient that I had to connect with Filomena at CCRAN. I emailed her, and within a short time she gave me a call which gave me so much hope for my future. Hope was needed for me to continue living with a positive mindset. After six months of chemotherapy and feeling extremely healthy I was approved for colon surgery. My colon surgeon removed my entire colon since I had polyps that lined it, leaving me with a temporary ileostomy bag. After that, I saw a thoracic surgeon who removed two out of the five lung nodules. I thought everything was going smoothly until my next lung nodule removal was cancelled. I was left overwhelmed, as I knew something more could be done but I didn’t know how to navigate the medical system. That’s when I reconnected with Filomena at CCRAN to seek her advice. She made it her mission to get me the care and treatments needed. I am heading into a procedure tomorrow for my lungs. I have plans in the works for treatment after discovering my cancer is also in my spine and rib (but still limited). I feel less overwhelmed knowing I can call, text, or email Filomena anytime when another issue arises. In addition, CCRAN offers patient Zoom meetings, where I feel supported, and offers new research/trial information plus web seminars with medical professionals who discuss new treatment options. This service is vital for anyone battling this disease as it fills in the holes of the medical system. I hope I am able to reach no evidence of disease (NED) this year. I am fighting to live as long as I can for our 3-year-old daughter, Vera, who is named after my nana.

At a routine prenatal appointment in March of 2019 my liver function tests came back elevated. My doctors thought that I was experiencing atypical preeclampsia and ordered an ultrasound on my liver as a precaution. That ultrasound showed a mass, which I would later come to find out was one of six liver metastases. Initially, they thought it was a hemangioma (a cluster of blood vessels), however, they induced my daughter early in order to run additional tests. Within 36 hours of her birth, I had an MRI, CT, repeat ultrasound and liver biopsy. It wasn’t until the liver biopsy results came back did we realize that it was colon cancer. I was 29 years old and had no family history of colon cancer, or any cancer for that matter. My local oncologist deemed my liver metastases too extensive for surgery and said that chemo could possibly extend my life. Needless to say, my world fell apart around me. I didn’t think that I would see my kids walk, say their first words, start school, or even remember me. I immediately knew I had to seek out a second opinion and found Dr. Sapisochin’s trial for the living donor liver transplant for stage 4 colon cancer. I met with Dr. Sapisochin regularly over the course of a year while completing chemotherapy at Princess Margaret under the care of Dr. Chen. One year following my diagnosis, my liver mets shrunk enough to not require liver transplant but to complete a two-stage liver resection (ALPPS). After that surgery I became cancer free. I spent the summer of 2020 living my life to the fullest. I took my kids to local parks and beaches, exploring the wilderness outside our home in northern Ontario. Despite being free of visible cancer, there was always a fear in the back of my mind that it would return. In November, it did. During a routine CT scan three nodules were found in my lungs. My world began to crumble again, and this time I knew I needed help. I had known about Filomena and CCRAN from other patients but had never felt the need to reach out. This time I did. Filomena helped me navigate my care, speaking with a thoracic surgeon, giving me questions to ask, information on upcoming trials, and the knowledge on how to navigate the next steps in this journey. By summer of 2021 I had my VATS resection on 3 lung metastases, but today 4 metastases remain. I speak to Filomena regularly providing her updates on where things are in my treatment, and she in turn provides me with support, feedback, and information on how I can best move forward. I hope to get back into surgery for my remaining metastases, but for now, I’m at Princess Margaret every other week for chemo. I believe it is the best place to be for me. While the side effects from both chemotherapy and multiple surgeries are present, I still care for and play with my kids, I got to hear those first words, see the first steps, and watch them grow. I’m grateful for everyone on my medical team, Filomena, and all of the staff at CCRAN for that opportunity. My journey isn’t over, I’m not currently cancer free, but hope to be once again. Until then I take it one treatment at a time and enjoy the time between as much as possible. My motto is: NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

I emailed CCRAN 3 days after my diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer with mets to the liver. It was so new, so devastating. I didn’t yet know what I was looking for, only that I needed help getting through it and figuring out where to go from here. Filomena replied the next day. She has been a lifeline for me ever since. Talking to Filomena, I felt an immediate sense of comfort. My life was not over. There is helpful, useful information and an entire network of people that can help me navigate this. I felt a sense of confidence for the first time since the fateful day I was told “you have cancer.” I felt like I had a community of smart, experienced, committed people in my corner – led by the force of nature that is Filomena – who would help me, and advocate for me, in big ways and small. I reached out to several organizations, and it is the advocacy and action that stood out with CCRAN – more than just offering a list of resources or courses. Filomena acted quickly whenever I needed anything or had a question. With CCRAN, I feel I have a team of experts, partners and friends. The thing I needed most in the earliest days was peer support. I have so much incredible support from family and friends, but it is so helpful being able to talk with someone who has gone through it. And within days, CCRAN matched me with Hayley Painter, an amazing human being. When we spoke, for the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like a person, not a patient. What a blessing. I will spend the rest of my life thanking her for that, as I now consider her a forever friend. I believe in the mind/body connection to support healing. I am absolutely confident that I was able to start treatments with a strong, positive, hopeful mindset in no small measure because of Filomena and Hayley. And while it’s still early, so far, so good; treatments are going very well and I feel confident, capable and ready for this next chapter in my life. CCRAN, my heartfelt thanks for the life-affirming work you do.