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Contact: Molly McMaster
(518) 879-9815 or E-mail

YOUNG SURVIVORS SHED CLOTHES TO SHED LIGHT ON COLORECTAL CANCER

Their method may raise eyebrows, but for the fourth year in a row, The Colon Club has brought together a group of young cancer survivors to raise awareness in a provocative but educational calendar known as the Colondar.  By showing their scars and sharing their personal stories, the models hope they will save lives by proving that colorectal cancer can happen to anyone at any age. 

The 2008 Colondar features six men and seven women under the age of 50 that have battled and survived colorectal cancer.  Each month features a photograph of an ordinary person with an extraordinary story of survival, all of whom were considered "too young" to have colorectal cancer. 

The stories are as unique as the individuals.  Rebecca’s family history led to her diagnosis and ostomy surgery at just 25.  Suzie, a gastroenterology nurse, was shocked to be in the same position as some of her patients when she was diagnosed at 37. Ray now spends his time educating others about colorectal cancer after dealing with symptoms of his own for years and finally being diagnosed at 47.  By sharing their symptoms and stressing the importance of early screening and prevention, the models hope that each page in the Colondar will be a reminder that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and it’s not just "an older p