On July 17, 2023, I went to the hospital because I was experiencing abdominal pain and bowel irregularities. It turned out I had a tumor in my colon that was so large that it caused a complete blockage. They performed emergency surgery to fit me with a colostomy bag. This was the beginning of my cancer journey.

Over the next year, I would receive 18 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by 5.5 weeks of daily radiation, and a second surgery to remove the tumor (as well as over a foot of my colon). I had a third (and hopefully final!) surgery in July of 2024 to reverse the ostomy, and now I am beginning the physical and emotional healing.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer, and has the fastest growing numbers of people under the age of 50. Like many younger folks who get diagnosed, I had no family history, no genetic predisposition, didn't smoke/eat unhealthy, and wasn't overweight. I also had no symptoms until the weekend before I went into the hospital.

I am fortunate that I had access to exceptional medical care and the greatest friends and family to support me through this nightmare. But not everybody has those resources. Money raised at this event stays local to help remove barriers to screening for under and uninsured people, educate the public about early detection and screening, reduce financial burdens for patients, and fund research to help fight and end colon cancer.

By donating and sharing my page, you can directly help people that are impacted by colon cancer and help save lives.

Thank you for your support!
<3 Krys <3