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.
As my way of coping I threw myself into research of therapies that may give me more time with my family. Shortly thereafter I found COLONTOWN. It was such an incredible relief to not only connect with people in the same situation, but to have access to such a wonderful network of knowledgeable advocates and materials.
I began volunteering with COLONTOWN as host in the early onset neighborhood YOUNGSTOWN and the parenting neighborhood THE PTA in 2021. My goal is to be able to give patients the same hope COLONTOWN gave me and help them find the resources they need to cope with their diagnosis.
In early 2022 I became community leader for ‘THE CIRCUS’ (know known as UNIQUENESS UNION) neighborhoods. These groups focus not on the disease specifically but hobbies, identity, and the practical matters of dealing with a cancer diagnosis. It’s so important to acknowledge one’s whole self when diagnosed with cancer, not simply responding to the symptoms; I’m so glad that these resources are available through COLONTOWN.
In summer of 2022 I became a member of the COLONTOWN Management Team (the Cabinet), and stepped into the lead role of Mayor for COLONTOWN in January, 2025. After supporting The Cabinet, PALTOWN, and the COLONTOWN Community through a monumental platform change through 2025 I made the very challenging decision to step down from my role as mayor to focus on my own disease progression and to spend time with my family. I am so incredibly fortunate to still support The Cabinet on an as needed basis as well as be an active member of the COLONTOWN Community. My personal cancer journey has given me experience with ALPPS liver resections, BRAF V600E, VATS lung resections, lymph node excision, thoracic brachytherapy and EGFR symptom management.