In 2021, at age 38, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. My diagnosis was shocking and terrifying, but I was very lucky. When my body let me know something was wrong, I was screened and then fortunate enough to have the tumor removed quickly before it spread.

From diagnosis to surgery and recovery, I am grateful to Beebe Healthcare. This is a letter of thanks to all the Beebe employees and volunteers who worked with me every step of the way, including Laurie Dickerson, RN; Holly Douglas, RN; Gail Field, RN; Brian Hughes, CRNA; Casey Savage, DO; Alicia Thomas, RN; and Barbara Wesson, RN. Thank you all so very much.

A special and heartfelt thank you goes out to Amber Peck, FNP, and Mark Wilkinson, MD, of Beebe Gastroenterology, as well as Amy Kuhlman, MA, and Ramakrishna Tatanini, MD, from Beebe General Surgery. With your care and guidance, I was able to have a positive outcome, and not a day goes by that I am not truly grateful for your services.

I’m well aware that many colorectal cancer patients are not as lucky as I have been. This type of cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer deaths for young adults and the leading cause of cancer deaths for men under 50. With early detection, however, colorectal cancer is very treatable.

Early detection made a dramatic difference in my life, and I wanted to do something to educate others on this disease. So, in honor of March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month – represented by a dark-blue ribbon – I am organizing the Blue Ribbon Run-A-Thon, set for Saturday, March 4, to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. There is no fee to run the race. Donations will be accepted, and all funds will go to Beebe Healthcare to promote education in our local community on the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer, and the importance of regular screenings.

Again, thanks to everyone at Beebe for the excellent care I received – I am a very grateful patient!

As a community-based, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe Healthcare depends on the generous support of the community it serves. To make a gift to celebrate the excellent care you or a loved one has received, visit Beebe Medical Foundation at beebemedicalfoundation.org or call 302-644-2900. Want to share your story? Contact Amanda Neal at aneal@beebehealthcare.org. To learn more about the Blue Ribbon Run-A-Thon, go to runsignup.com/Race/DE/Lewes/BlueRibbonRunAThon.