Hereditary Colon Cancer Takes Guts

Attenuated FAP, Cowden Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Gardner Syndrome,

Hereditary Mixed Polyposis, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome, Lynch Syndrome, Muir-Torre Syndrome, MYH-Associated Polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, Turcot Syndrome

Stories of Hope

The following people in our community have risen to the challenge placed before them and become survivors. Survivors who have beaten cancer and vowed to rebuild, and have become champions. Champions who understand the daunting path hereditary colon cancer presents and says, "Is that all you got? ...Bring it!"

Dezi

Young Dezi was more than a little anxious. You would be, too, if you were having your colon removed the Friday before Thanksgiving…at the age of 12!

Questions were swirling…

“What’s life going to be like afterwards?”

“How long until I can skateboard and ride my dirt bike again?”

“Will I be able to play basketball and baseball this year?”

“Will I still be able to eat my favorite foods?”

Dakota Fisher-Vance

Just before she was to begin her new career, a cancer diagnosis, followed by a proctocolectomy and three months with a leaking ostomy, forced her to pass on the job she was so excited to start. Read how and why Dakota, creator of FAPulous TV, became a patient advocate and is creating resources for young people living with FAP and other chronic illnesses.

Jennifer Cross Johnson

Jennifer knows the ups and down that go along with chronic illness. After a series of misdiagnoses and multiple surgeries, the cold grasp of depression began to grab a firm hold. Read what happened when she decided enough was enough and united her three passions, family, photography, and Facebook, to make a positive change in her life.

Capes for Grayson

Danielle Brannan and her son, Grayson, have taken a unique approach to fighting the fear F.A.P. No longer facing surgeries as a mortal, Danielle made Grayson a superhero's cape to instill hope and courage. Now she makes them for anyone facing uncertain times.

Eric Charsky

How does an Army Ranger respond when told that cancer, spread from throat to rectum, was the worst his doctor had ever seen? "I broke another record. Cool...let's do this." Read why surviving cancer and dealing with the day-to-day struggles of F.A.P. is not that big of a deal for Eric Charsky.

Jon Olis

After being misdiagnosed with hemorrhoids at age 30, six years later Jon was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer and F.A.P. The focal point of his fight - watching his kids grow up and growing old with his wife. The vehicle for that fight - competitive mountain biking. For him, he is literally "riding away from cancer.

Alyssa Zeigler

Alyssa grew up watching the effects of F.A.P. on her family and is writing a hope-inspiring blog, and e-book, about her experiences. Entitled "Learning to Live by Defying the Odds", the very basis of her memoirs and the message she shares is to highlight the positive ways living with F.A.P. has affected her life!