My daughter, Queah Habern (pronounced: Quaya) was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2005 at only 27 years old. She was a dynamic and beautiful young lady, a graduate…
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Faces of Blue is colorectal cancer survivor stories, plus patients, friends and family, and others touched by this disease. This special place dedicated to a shared cancer experience. By publishing these accounts of courage, endurance, strength, and even humor, we hope to share a common experiences and provide encouragement for all affected by this disease.
New stories are published frequently throughout Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March), as well as the rest of the year. Each story puts another face to this disease. If you have been touched in some way by colon or rectal cancer, you are a face of blue.
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Rodnell’s Story
Rodnell didn’t have an extensive family history of cancer. His father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but it didn’t raise any eyebrows with his health care providers.
When a ruptured appendix in 2016 landed him in emergency surgery, however, his doctors discovered something more “shocking, surprising, and very unexpected.”
Stage IV colon cancer.
As a part of his care plan, Rodnell was offered genetic testing. The results would provide another shock to this father of two young boys. The news he carried the gene for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary gene that increased his lifetime risk of colorectal and other cancers.
Rodnell spent three years in treatment. Now in remission, he stays on top of his surveillance for the return of not only colorectal cancer, but also any of the other cancers associated with Lynch syndrome.
Share your Story
Tell us about your colorectal cancer experience or share your memories of a loved one lost to this disease.
Faces of Blue Stories
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I was diagnosed on July 5, 2017, as stage IIIc colorectal cancer and was given 6-9 months to live …if I chose to do nothing. Nothing?!? Well, I’m married with…
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Colon Cancer has changed the trajectory of my life. I lost my older brother Marvin in July 2016 after an arduous and quick two-year battle with stage IV colon cancer….
…it’s pretty incredible how social media has had such reach, and I’ve received anecdotes from people who say, “hey, based on your post, I got my colonoscopy done and I…
I’ve always faced it with as much hope and positivity as possible, but one recent incident really changed my perspective… A friend asked if I would be taking chemo for…
My brother Sean Westbrook was sent to the hospital from a routine doctor’s appointment after he complained of swelling in his feet and his doctor noticed that he had an…
Archived Stories
Survivor Stories
Colon cancer patients and survivors share personal experiences about diagnosis, surgery, treatment, side effects and the many ways that cancer has changed their lives.
Survivor StoriesIn Loving Memory
Friends and family of those lost to colon cancer share a loved one’s story with us. Keeping their memories alive.
In Loving Memory Stories