Community Leaders

I came to COLONTOWN in 2018 as primary caregiver for my husband, Dan.  He was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer with a single lung metastasis in 2014 after being cancer free for almost five years after an initial Stage 3C dx in 2009.  At that same time in 2014, he also was diagnosed with stage one primary breast cancer.  … Read more

I am a practicing physician and a proud volunteer in COLONTOWN.  I currently serve as the Community Leader for health care providers within COLONTOWN, including the neighborhood for both physician-patients and nurse-patients, as well as the neighborhood for consulting physicians.

COLONTOWN is a resource unlike any other that I have encountered in my professional career or personal life.  … Read more

I was diagnosed with Stage IV right-side colon cancer in January, 2007.  Recurrence in August, 2015, which I’m still dealing with.  I’m Lynch.  I’ve been with COLONTOWN since 2011.  Attended Call on Congress in the early days of COLONTOWN, and also attended the first Empowered Patient Workshop.  I am the Administrator for Sunshine State Crew, and Community Leader for all our local crews around the United States. … Read more

I was diagnosed in December 2011 with Stage I Rectal Cancer. After progressing to Stage IV four years later I needed to find support and information, which led me to COLONTOWN.   It was there that I made friendships and connected with people that have loved, supported and guided me through some of my toughest days. … Read more

I joined COLONTOWN because I was looking for support for myself and my husband, who had been diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer. I have enjoyed getting to meet everyone in COLONTOWN and especially liked attending my first Empowered Patient Leader Workshop this summer in Minneapolis. I’m now serving as the Deputy Mayor for our Spiritual Enclave.… Read more

I am Carepartner to my husbandm=, who was diagnosed with Stage 3b rectal  cancer in 2015. I was introduced to my COLONTOWN family four years ago and became a host to carepartners in 2016. I’m a Deputy Mayor for Carepartner Onboarding & a Neighborhood Host for several communities. I had the pleasure of becoming an Empowered Patient Leader at the first Empowered Patient Workshop in Washington DC.… Read more

My name is Fernando Ruiz del Prado (but please call me Fer).

My favorite phrase is “Life is a Journey” because pretty much encapsulates the story of my life. Born and raised in Mexico City, when I turned 24, I grabbed two bags, my skateboard and my bass and headed to Boston, MA with enough savings to pay for my first year of college.… Read more