My name is Jerry Vandeveer and I am a “colonoscopy-aholic.“ No, I don’t get a lot of colonoscopies, but I can sure talk about them. Sharing a life-saving procedure with people becomes an addiction, especially when someone tells you that your message helped them save their lives.
In February of 2016, my Linda was diagnosed with stage IV cancer of the liver, pancreas, and colon. This originated in the colon and spread to the other organs over a period of about 10 years. She was forced to get her first colonoscopy at age 64, but it was too late.
She was strong in her belief of God and thought this must be part of a plan He had for her. I 
asked hundreds of times, “Why her?” but I stood beside her in her belief, which was hard. In the evening, we’d be watching TV and I would crawl over to her, put my head in her lap and weep. She would stroke my head and say, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be okay. God is in charge and has a plan.” I couldn’t believe this beautiful woman was dying and yet she would never forsake her God. I only thought, how was I going to live without her?
She was so strong that I began to chronicle her journey and share it on Facebook and through emails a few times a week. She had many followers, which turned into hundreds and eventually thousands in the U.S., Germany, and Italy. They loved her faith in God, belief in marriage, and knowing that her death was part of a plan.
About two months before her death, a friend came by and talked to Linda about the history of colon cancer in her own family. She was scared to death to get a colonoscopy. After two hours of persuasion from Linda, she promised to get one. They found cancer and had to remove 12 inches of her colon, but now she is cancer free. While still healing, she had her sister help her to come see and thank Linda for saving her life. That afternoon while we were all hugging and crying, I think I finally saw what Linda knew all along; God just might have a good plan for us.
We were big advocates of public safety and they rewarded us by being there for our every need. They even put up signs at the fire stations saying, “Pray for Linda.” The media did several stories about Linda’s life regarding community activism and her many awards, but I believe her biggest reward would come in her death. She didn’t die in vain. Because of her death, eventually thousands would listen to their doctors and realize the importance of colonoscopies, and because of that, they will continue to live.
Linda made me promise three things. The first, that I get a colonoscopy. Second, no matter what it takes, share with everyone how this silent yet deadly killer can be detected early with a colonoscopy and treat it. And finally, celebrate her death because she is going to heaven and will walk the Garden of Eden with our Lord.
I began sharing her message, and by the time of her funeral, we had 64 people who had either gotten a colonoscopy or had one scheduled and two people whom had their lives saved when cancer was detected and removed after they had a colonoscopy.
Chad Ryan | The Journal Gazette
Members of local law enforcement and fire departments stand at attention as the honor guard salutes the funeral procession for local activist Linda Vandeveer on Monday at the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial on Wells Street. Vandeveer and her husband Jerry worked with local law enforcement clean up their neighborhood of crime and drug houses and helped build the memorial, which pays tribute to police and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
After the funeral, I wanted to be alone. I cried quite a bit but then I realized the Lord and my Linda gave me a way to continue sharing her story with others. If I were to grieve then my way was by sharing Linda’s message and keeping my promise, too. We now have over 1000 people who have gotten colonoscopies and more than 20 who have had their lives saved by detecting and removing the cancer. Several are getting chemotherapy and several are waiting for surgery. These are just the ones I know of.
On February 3, 2017, I started the biggest push to get the word out. I spent $10,000 to rent 15 billboards with my Linda’s picture on it, saying, “My Linda would want you to schedule one today.” I divulge this figure to show my commitment to sharing God and Linda’s plan. I do this so others will know that I am not sponsored, hired or getting a “kick-back” for my warnings. My belief is that if they know I spent my own money then I’m either crazy or telling the truth. I also believe bringing this to the forefront, like breast cancer, can save life after life. If I could afford it, I’d spend it again and again.
I’ve written letters to editors, bought over 200-10 second commercials, and stood on our courthouse square with a 6.5-foot chicken and a colonoscopy sign. I’ve sung a song on YouTube (“I Want a Colonoscopy For Christmas”), and I rang a bell for 
Salvation Army. I had a 5-foot pink pig beside me with a sign reading, “Don’t Be Pigheaded Get a Colonoscopy,” and I did five television interviews promoting colonoscopies.
As of today, I have rented 43 billboards since February of 2017. They run one month each, sometimes several running during the same time period. I have spent over $25,000 of our retirement savings. I started off having only Linda’s picture but then I thought if we couldn’t spend our retirement traveling together, then we would spend our retirement together on the billboards. Both of our pictures are now on the boards and we warn everyone together.
