Over 56,000 men and women died last year alone from colon cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in this country. One out of 20 U.S. citizens will experience this disease in their lifetime. In many ethnic groups the numbers are much higher. The sad but encouraging truth is that NO ONE HAS TO DIE! Colon cancer is curable over 90% of the time when diagnosed and treated early. There is a tremendous amount of confusion about age, screening, symptoms and treatment. You need the facts NOW!!!!!

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In October 2002, one day before my 18th birthday my mum Regina was diagnosed with colon cancer. She didn't have any "typical" symptoms. Since August she had been coughing and no doctor could find a cause for it. One doctor though (ironically the one she didn't like at all) told her he would just check everything and he ordered a colonoscopy among other test.

They found tumors in her colon and metastases in her liver already. My mum underwent surgery to remove the tumor. In January she started chemo and got into a trial. Everything seemed to be working. The metastases shrunk and the doctors were very positive. In March she had to go back to the hospital because she had lost too much weight and the chemo stopped working. They tried another one but this one made her loose even more weight.

In June she was too week to get out of bed on her own anymore. My mum always thought about others first and then herself. That was the reason she admitted herself into the hospital. She didn't want to be a burden to her family.

Two weeks later, on 1st July 2003 my mum died of liver failure. She was only 46 years old.

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Too many people are still dying of this horrible desease. It is preventable! My goal is to raise $1,000 for the Colon Cancer Foundation by 1st July.
I couldn't help my mum but hopefully I can help others. You can too.