Stacey joined COLONTOWN in 2011 after her husband Rick was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma of unknown primary. Sadly, Rick died of his disease in 2014, but Stacey’s passion for the mission has kept her involved in the community ever since. She has had the bittersweet opportunity to play an active role in COLONTOWN—viewing its growth and evolution from its earliest days.
… Read more staff
Catherine McNeal
In February of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer. I completed chemoradiation in April. Then, while looking for resources and support when undergoing chemotherapy, I found COLONTOWN. I instantly made real friendships with other people who understood me.
In early December of 2021, I was declared NED (no evidence of disease) and turned my focus to helping other CRC patients and care partners while navigating my own survivorship. … Read more
Morgan Dunn
In the summer of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage IIa colon cancer. I was 36 at the time, with no family history of CRC, and only had symptoms for three short weeks. I was very fortunate that the surgery to remove my tumor was curative but given my young age I elected to do six months of ‘clean-up’ chemo.… Read more
Meagan Lockhart
I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with mets to liver in March of 2019 at the age of 29. My initial oncologist told me I was inoperable and offered palliative chemotherapy. As a mom of a young toddler and newborn this was simply not okay.
… Read more As my way of coping I threw myself into research of therapies that may give me more time with my family.
Adrian Terek
I became involved in patient advocacy when my mother was diagnosed with incurable cervical cancer in 2012. Her doctor offered her very few options, so I undertook a deep dive into the world of cancer research, as well as corresponded with top researchers around the world about the latest developments.
My research led me to a promising clinical trial that my mother participated in, which shrunk her cancer and gave her valuable additional years.… Read more
Jennifer Eldridge
I am a stage 4 rectal cancer survivor.
In July 2020, at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer. Shortly after diagnosis, I received the devastating news that the disease had spread to my liver, lungs and throughout my lymph nodes. Several months after my initial diagnosis, I found COLONTOWN through a friend.
… Read more Amy True
I have been married 27 years to my high school sweetheart Jeff. We live in Louisville, Kentucky. Together, we are raising five amazing gifts through adoption, (two domestic, two from Congo, Africa and one from Uganda, Africa). I am the proud mama of a Navy Surface Warfare Officer, two college students and two high schoolers who I homeschool.… Read more
Anne Nesathurai
I am a science communicator and editor. I started my career in genetics education, as the managing editor for an education nonprofit. I am passionate about translating confusing topics so that everyone can understand them. I have a B.A. in English from Vassar College. I’m excited to lead PALTOWN’s content development team and manage digital content for the organization.… Read more
Tiffany Freeman
I was diagnosed with stage 3b colon cancer in August of 2019, age 36, and found COLONTOWN in November of that year. I had felt completely unmoored by my diagnosis and was drowning in the physical, emotional and mental weight of facing cancer as a young mother. Finding COLONTOWN was like being thrown a life-preserver and pulled onto an impressive ship full of experienced and strong sailors.
… Read more Lauren Hindman
I was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer in 2017 at age 35, which progressed to Stage IV sixteen months later. A friend introduced me to COLONTOWN, which became instrumental in helping me learn how to manage my disease and provided the support I needed to navigate life as a wife and graduate student with cancer.
… Read more