20-Year Reflection & 2024 Anniversaries

For the past 20 years, the Coalition — primarily through our Get Your Rear in Gear event series – has united communities in the fight against colon cancer by starting the conversation to openly talk about colorectal cancer and begin breaking down barriers to screening. 

“We honor the community of survivors, caregivers, and healthcare providers who have donated their time, energy, and passion to this mission,” says Colon Cancer Coalition President, Chris Evans. “We take the time to remember those we have lost and honor those who are still enduring while continuing to spread awareness so others do not have to go through the same journey.”

To quote the powerful words of Get Your Rear in Gear – New York Local Event Director, Malvina Kefalas, “I’ve often said to close friends and family that once you enter the world of cancer, you never truly leave it.” This reality fuels a movement that’s as bold and unstoppable as the communities we serve.

Our work is not done. Even as we celebrate this incredible milestone and the progress made in early detection, we charge head-first to a future where colon cancer is no longer a leading cause of death. Here’s to 20 years of spreading the word, educating communities, saving lives, and building a future where colon cancer doesn’t stand a chance. Let’s keep that momentum going!

 

Charlotte, NC, Orlando, FL, Green Bay, WI, and Des Moines, IA, celebrated their Get Your Rear in Gear anniversaries earlier this year to carry on this important mission! 

 

2024 marked the 15th anniversary of Get Your Rear in Gear – Charlotte, the largest of our Get Your Rear in Gear series and the largest 5K run/walk for colon cancer in North America. This year was extra special, as it culminated year-round mini-awareness events throughout the city!

“The race village was full and active,” comments our Director of National Events, Jackie Evans, “from free popsicles to rows of vendors and sponsors, a beautiful survivor tent, interactive art projects, and a fun kids’ area. The race took place in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, with the Charlotte skyline in the background — making for a beautiful city and neighborhood course for the over 1,200 participants! Survivor and advocate Robert Stricklin leads the planning committee as Local Event Director; and among the committee is a mighty group of survivors, patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and sponsors.”

Robert was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019. After multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, as well as surgeries and procedures, he is back to living a healthy and active life. It’s important to him to raise awareness, advocate for research, and encourage anyone going through treatment to seek out others who have been through similar experiences. Over the past 15 years, Get Your Rear in Gear – Charlotte has raised money to cover living expenses for CRC patients in active treatment, free colon cancer screenings for patients 45+, a multitude of resources for CRC patients from low-income backgrounds and underserved populations, and many more.

 

 

Get Your Rear in Gear – Des Moines also celebrated its 15th anniversary. Started by David and Winonah McCluskey in memory of David Kinman, who passed away at age 36 after a hard-fought battle with colon cancer. David McCluskey was also diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007. He had a rough journey– “If there is a side effect, I think I’ve had it,” said David. He’s now been cancer-free for years, and he and Winonah founded the Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa, formerly known as “David’s Fight,” from his and David Kinman’s journies. 

For the past 15 years, the McCluskey family — along with their planning committee, local patients, survivors, caregivers, family, and friends — have raised awareness and funds to combat colorectal cancer in Iowa, positively impacting everyone they meet.

 

2024 marked the 10th anniversary of Get Your Rear in Gear – Orlando, led by Ashley Johnson. Ashley learned about colon cancer after her childhood friend, Dominique, was diagnosed. She didn’t understand how someone so young could get colon cancer, and she’s now determined to lessen the suffering from this awful disease. Ashley hosts multiple awareness events throughout the year for colon cancer, making a large impact all over Florida.

The community in Orlando is incredible, consisting of participants like Tasha Hurst. Tasha was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer at age 48, which was upped to stage IV when it spread. She will need chemotherapy for the rest of her life, but “I’ve never once thought that I was going to give up on this,” Tasha says. “I call it winning, I don’t call it fighting.”

Tasha started fundraising to help eliminate some of the financial barriers to colorectal cancer screenings. “I raised money, and what was really special about this past year was because I really targeted raising money for people that are young that may not have the needs, financial or insurance, to get screened,” says Tasha. 

 

 

 

Get Your Rear in Gear – Green Bay also had its 10th anniversary this year. Dr Erik Johnson, Aurora BayCare colorectal surgeon, and BayCare clinic’s Mike Schmidt brought Get Your Rear in Gear to Green Bay, emphasizing a healthy lifestyle and the importance of being screened in the most fun way possible. They even made fun YouTube videos on BayCare Clinic’s page, which can be found Here and Here.

Now led by Local Event Director and BayCare Clinic’s Jessica Winkel, Get Your Rear in Gear – Green Bay has raised money over the past ten years to bring awareness to Wisconsin through campaigns to educate the greater Green Bay area and promote colon cancer screening for prevention and early detection.

 

Indianapolis, IN, Concord, NH, Columbus, OH, and New York City, NY, all have yet to celebrate their Get Your Rear in Gear anniversaries this fall! 

 

2024 marks the 15th anniversary of Get Your Rear in Gear – Indianapolis on September 7th, started by David Galvin in memory of his father and led by new Local Event Director Kristen Blount. Kristen is a Medical Assistant at Community Colon and Rectal Care in Indianapolis.

“I took on the Local Event Director role for Indianapolis not only for my patients but for my grandpa as well,” shares Kristen. “My goal is to help raise awareness of colon cancer and to spread the word of how important it is to get screened.”

Over the past 15 years, Get Your Rear in Gear – Indianapolis has raised money to give financial grants through nurse navigators to CRC patients in active treatment to cover living expenses in Indiana! A nurse navigator helps their patient navigate through the treatment process by connecting them to resources and information to help them make informed decisions.

 

 

Get Your Rear in Gear – New York is also celebrating its 15th anniversary on October 20th, led by Local Event Directors Alyssa Frost and Malvina Kefalas. Alyssa is a native New Yorker with a true passion for helping others. Her journey with colorectal cancer began at a very young age when her aunt was diagnosed and passed away from stage IV rectal cancer. Alyssa is a big advocate for everyone to get screened and she’s motivated to keep the memory of her aunt alive by celebrating the wonderful person she was. “The years go on, but we never forget.”

Malvina lost her mom, Tita Kefalas, just 3 months after her stage IV colon cancer diagnosis in July of 2021. “It shook my world. Having been a member of the colon cancer community since just a few weeks after her passing in October 2021, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with survivors, patients, and fellow caregivers over SO many important initiatives.”

Get Your Rear in Gear – New York has raised money over the past 15 years to bring awareness to the local communities and promote colon cancer screening for prevention and early detection. “The passion, humor, and unerring commitment of this community sometimes knocks the wind out of me,” concludes Malvina.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Get Your Rear in Gear – New Hampshire on September 7th, led by Local Event Director Katie Robert. Katie is a public health consultant and the Board President of the New Hampshire Public Health Association. Her dedication to this event was inspired by her mother’s 10-year battle with colon cancer before she passed away in 2014. 

“This event is very personal for me,” says Katie. “I am working in memory of my beloved mom, who lost her life too early to colon cancer. It is very personal to our participants, as well.  At least 70% of our participants are touched by the disease in some way as colon cancer survivors, family, and friends. Together we are passionate about raising awareness and screening rates for colon cancer.”

Since 2014, Get Your Rear in Gear – New Hampshire has raised money to reduce barriers for average-risk patients needing colorectal cancer screening through FIT tests, covering transportation costs, and colonoscopy prep. 

Each year, the New Hampshire community comes together at the beautiful Gould Hill Farm to raise awareness for colon cancer, support patients and survivors, honor those we’ve lost, and raise funds to continue screening the local community!

 

 

 

Last, but certainly not least, Get Your Rear in Gear – Columbus is celebrating its 10th anniversary on September 28th, previously led by mother-daughter Local Event Director duo Tammy Phillips and Trish Smith. Tammy discovered Get Your Rear in Gear – Columbus in 2015, but her journey with colon cancer began in 2011 after her mother, Trish, was diagnosed with the disease. 

Trish is a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She has been a stage III colon cancer survivor since 2012 and worked with her daughter, Tammy, on the inaugural Get Your Rear in Gear – Columbus race in 2015. 

Get Your Rear in Gear – Columbus has raised money over the past ten years to bring awareness to Ohio and promote colon cancer screening for prevention and early detection.

 

It’s thanks to each and every one of our local Get Your Rear in Gear communities that we can continue to combat colorectal cancer on a national scale! Thank you to everyone whose passion, dedication, and love impacts and inspires us every single day!