Colon Cancer Awareness Month is heavy on my heart this year, and what a better time to bring awareness to others in our community and support those affected every day by cancer. I wear blue this month in honor and celebration of a close friend of mine who was diagnosed with colon cancer at the end of 2025. There was immediate sadness, but through his eyes, there was hope, and a firm foundation in our Lord, where he laid this diagnosis. My daughter, only 4, hearing me pray for him, began asking to pray for him every night. Nothing knocks you to your knees faster than a 4-year-old praying for healing from cancer. His diagnosis was followed by many appointments, tests and scans, and he was able to undergo surgery in January 2026. After successful surgery, there is hope of being cancer free, but also the understanding that cancer has changed everything. Not just the future of appointments, bloodwork and tests, but the perspective on life that tells us to slow down, soak up the time with our family and not sacrifice what is important to us while we are here for things we cannot take with us when we go.
At some stage of life, it seems we are all impacted by the word no one wants to hear. Some earlier in life, some later in life. It all cuts the same. Deep. From lung cancer to skin cancer, my family has been impacted over the past 20 years. One of the toughest parts is watching others fill the role of caretaker. The ones who will not show a sign of weakness because they want to be strong for their parent, spouse, child, friend. The ones who don’t take time to process and grieve as they push through every appointment, surgery, treatment. So whether you have/had cancer, are caring for someone with cancer or know someone with cancer – know that there is a community here to support you. There are resources to help. Because of every generous contribution from our community businesses and individuals, CWFCA is able to continue this support year over year.