Catalina Foundation: for women with rectal cancer

ccartwri
ccartwri Member Posts: 82
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi. I also wanted to let you guys know that some relatives of mine have begun a foundation called the Catalina Foundation: for young mothers with rectal cancer. The hope is to expand to serve all with colon and rectal cancer. and to partner with other organizations and do fund raisers and provide education and awareness. I want to invite you to look at the website and provide feedback as to how this foundation can expand and do good work. Jillian, the wife of the founder doing most of the work, has done some fundraisers in Chicago. Her mom in Cleveland knows someone who works for the today show and is trying to get on the today show with katie couric and is making cards to sell at vet offices with great artwork from a friend of hers (I am a veterinarian). This group has been such a great resource and source of support for me. I want to get you involved!!
See
catalinafoundatio.org

and give me any feedback through here or through the site.
Claudia

Comments

  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #2
    Can young women with rectal cancer get involved.... I have 3 dogs. :)

    Sounds like a great program. Good luck with it! jana
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    I will definitely check out the website. What a great idea. (I am a mother with rectal cancer - but how young do you have to be to be young? - ha!).
    Tara
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #4
    taraHK said:

    I will definitely check out the website. What a great idea. (I am a mother with rectal cancer - but how young do you have to be to be young? - ha!).
    Tara

    What a wonderfull site Claudia! I sent you a mail thru the site so go have a peek. I would certainly suggest others on here go there for an inspirational read.
    Catalina is cute Claudia...but then aren't all babies!
    Cheers gal, Ross n Jen
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #5
    jana11 said:

    Can young women with rectal cancer get involved.... I have 3 dogs. :)

    Sounds like a great program. Good luck with it! jana

    Jana
    Of course! The foundation was set up with a focus of young mothers with rectal cancer but the hope is that the bigger it gets, it will not have to be mothers (or even females), or rectal cancer but could include colon cancer.
    right now, it is serving to help us but in the future will serve to help many and continue to provide awareness and education. I have a few friends doing fundraisers and sending letters and emails to a large network of folks. I would like to get MDs, like GPs, OBs, and GI docs, and colorectal surgeons involved. I am not THE advocate right now but will be in the future. Check out the site. Jillian is the one running the show. But I would love to discuss networking and awareness campaign ideas you may have!!!! You are a great hero to me and I would love you involved!
    Love,
    claudia

    ooops!!! type o on the website
    it is
    catalinafoundation.org
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #6
    taraHK said:

    I will definitely check out the website. What a great idea. (I am a mother with rectal cancer - but how young do you have to be to be young? - ha!).
    Tara

    Tara
    You ARE young. There has been no determination but the idea is young mother, young kids. Mirrored on my situation where I was diagnosed 7 weeks post partum!
    I think young may be considered under 50 at diagnosis.
    I would love you involved!
    website is actually

    catalinafoundation.org

    love, claudia
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #7
    kangatoo said:

    What a wonderfull site Claudia! I sent you a mail thru the site so go have a peek. I would certainly suggest others on here go there for an inspirational read.
    Catalina is cute Claudia...but then aren't all babies!
    Cheers gal, Ross n Jen

    Ross!
    I loved your emai and will respond today. What a compassionate, insightful and sweet man you are!
    Yep! Cati is a big cutie pie! I fall more in love everyday.

    love,
    claudia
  • mamafilet
    mamafilet Member Posts: 3
    #8
    I think your site is very helpful and provides a good support for young people battling colorectal cancer. I was 47 when I was diagnosed and I felt like a youngster at my dr. & chemo visits, so I can imagine how you feel! When others learn that I am fighting cancer they seem to assume it must be breast cancer and are shocked when I tell them colon cancer, so this is something we need to let others know about. What do you need in terms of help with the website?
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #9
    ccartwri said:

    Tara
    You ARE young. There has been no determination but the idea is young mother, young kids. Mirrored on my situation where I was diagnosed 7 weeks post partum!
    I think young may be considered under 50 at diagnosis.
    I would love you involved!
    website is actually

    catalinafoundation.org

    love, claudia

    Finally checked out the site. It is wonderful. Happy to help out.

    I was 44 at diagnosis -- my kids were 10 and 12. Many challenging issues, in terms of how to inform and emotionally support them. But I have no problem with your concept, to initially focus on young mothers and young children - great idea.

    Love, Tara
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #10
    OK, I tried to email you on the site, but I am not smart enough. Here is my message.

    this site is wonderful... you and your family are soo beautiful! WOW!!

    I enjoyed reading your story. I am so glad you are getting your story and awareness out there. I had no idea how difficult it was for you to get your proper diagnosis. Being young and healthy is quite a problem.

    I would love to help this organization any way I can. Just let me know what I can do. When Pete, my hubbie, finishes his fellowship and starts his "real" job, I will only work 3 days per week - max. Giving me lots of time for charity and volunteering and hobbies. :)

    Take care and have a fabulous "chemo is done" trip out to Cali and Cleveland. I will be thinking of you.

    jana

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