As you know, we don't want any gifts for Steve's 50th birthday but I wanted to do something in his honor - turning 50 and celebrating 10 years cancer-free. So, I created this fundraiser to surprise him at his Nov. 16 birthday party. We will let him know what his closest family and friends raised in his honor for the Colon Cancer Coalition! Thanks in advance for considering a donation! I will round us up to a nice big number at the end! Read on for Steve's story...

This month, Steve turns 50 and it's also his 10-year anniversary of being diagnosed with stage IIIc colon cancer (the last stage before IV when it has spread elsewhere). It was supposed to be a special time in our family with a three-week-old baby, Carter, and two-year-old daughter, Lauren. Instead, it became a crazy time with Steve's colon resection surgery and six months of chemo. Steve powered through with optimism and determination that he would beat cancer -- and he did!!! Thankfully, he has been cancer-free now for 10 years. He doesn't take this for granted and gets routine checks along with living a healthy lifestyle (give or take a few Don Julio's here and there - he needs to have some fun!).

Please help support the Colon Cancer Coalition by making a contribution in Steve's honor. Every dollar raised will advance the Colon Cancer Coalition's great cause! This is the same group behind the Get Your Rear in Gear race and many other efforts to end deaths from colon cancer by increasing screening and education about the signs and symptoms of this treatable disease.