A father finds strength in connection

When Damien S. lost a friend to young-onset colorectal cancer, he never imagined he’d face the same diagnosis a few years later. At 47, Damien had reason to ignore his subtle symptoms — he was a busy father and professional. 

And with guidelines recommending screening only after age 50 at the time, he was told insurance might not even cover the test.

“When cancer came for me, my life spun out of control,” Damien said. “I couldn’t sleep. I was trying to keep up with work, parenting, and the logistics of survival.”

Like many facing colorectal cancer, Damien encountered a wave of uncertainty, fear, and barriers. He recalls hours of appointments, devastating updates, and eventually learning that the cancer had spread to his liver.

But amid the chaos, one source of support stood out: the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

“When I was diagnosed, I needed more than information — I needed connection,” Damien said. “The Alliance was a lifeline. I wasn’t alone anymore.”

Through the Alliance’s Buddy Program, he was paired with a volunteer who had lived through a similar diagnosis. 

The experience was so impactful that Damien became a buddy himself, mentoring others. With his background in recovery work, he understood the power of genuine peer-to-peer support. 

“It cuts through the isolation and well-meaning but hollow advice,” he said.

After enduring surgery, chemotherapy, and a recurrence during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s been without evidence of disease since July 2020. Today, Damien is a passionate advocate for prevention and early detection. 

“I got lucky,” Damien said. “But I wish I’d never needed to. With the Alliance, we can prevent this disease, support patients better, and save more lives.”