SARA HATCHER

Sara Hatcher was caring for her newborn daughter and two-year-old son while fighting abdominal pains she had been having since the middle of her pregnancy. Everyone seemed to agree that she had been experiencing “pregnancy pains,” and although it seemed like a good rationalization, Sara suspected something else was wrong. She continued to seek an explanation and was misdiagnosed for months, being treated for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) before finally being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. She had surgery on Valentine’s Day 2003 and began chemotherapy shortly thereafter.

Sara will turn 29 this month and has been cancer-free for over two years. She has learned that she can’t control everything in her life, but strives to enjoy each day. She believes that it is extremely important for everyone to be aware that young people can get colorectal cancer even if, like Sara, they have no family history at all.

Sara recently joined the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) and plans to stay involved in their mission of patient support, advocacy, and education. For more information about CCA, visit http://www.ccalliance.org.