March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Just a reminder that March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.  Take some time out and remind that relative or friend, man or woman that is approaching age 50 to get screened. 

If you have a family history of colon cancer please consult your family physician.  Thanks to the mother of our model above from 2008 and a caste of characters, colon cancer screening is covered by all insurance companies in Pennsylvania.

Colon Cancer is treatable and curable with screening and early detection, however it still remains at number two of all cancer deaths in the US.

Also a big shout out goes to Molly and Erika.  Molly was the founder of Colon Club.   It is a non-profit organization started in 2003 dedicated to  raising awareness of colorectal cancer in out-of-the-box ways.  Since 2005, the organization has put out their edition of the Colondar since 2005.  Erika, a stage IV colon cancer survivor and former Snyder County resident has been brave enough to be on cover since it's inception.  The above picture is a personal favorite from 2008. Erika also sits on the board the directors of the Colon Club.

Once again, a big shout out to these amazing women and colon cancer survivors.

Erika Rocks Roanoke!!!

Erika shares her story on WDBJ7 of Roanoke. Erika is 8-year survivor of colon cancer, a native of Snyder County, and of course, rocks!!!!!

Happy 5th Anniversary, Colondar!!!!!

As October was being painted pink for breast cancer awareness the 5th anniversary issue of the Colondar was published. The Colondar and the Colon Club was started by Molly McMaster who was diagnosed with colon cancer on her 23rd birthday. The Colondar and Colon Club are used to bring awareness that anyone can be diagnosed with colon cancer and it is not an age related issue.



For the 5th straight year, Erika Kratzer of Snyder County in Pennsylvania graces the cover. Erika was diagnosed in 2000 at the age of 22. I got to meet Erika and her family through a local newspaper article about the Colondar. Being diagnosed myself at age 36 in 2002, I had a side effect from chemo that made my eyes water. November 29th, 2002 was the day I first had symptoms of this disease.



Through bringing the Colossal Colon to the Susquehanna Valley in 2005, Erika's mother Janet Bilger and I co-chair the Central Susquehanna Valley Colon Cancer Task Force. In 2008, our task force's efforts were realized by signing HB1155 (Colon Cancer Screening) into law in Pennsylvania.


Here is a toast to the Colon Club and the Colondar. May Erika grace the cover for another 10 years.

Buy your Colondar here

Here is a picture of Erika's mother with Governor Edward Rendell at the signing of HB1155.

In Memoriam to a Colondar Model

In Memoriam

Michelle Cervone

As the Colondar turned from May to June back in 2006, electricity filled the air as my coworkers met Michelle Cervone for the first time. Michelle was a Stage IV cancer survivor who brought awareness to many by modeling for the 2006 Colondar. Sadly, Michelle passed away on March 12th, 2008.

You can read more about Michelle's battle with colon cancer just by clicking on the link titled Michelle's story under my colon cancer links.

On Friday, March 28th at 6 pm, there will be a Celebration of Life event at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in the Boscov's court. Colon cancer survivors including caregivers will share their stories of hope in person and in display. A program will be conducted to bring about education and awareness.