A colon cancer diagnosis can be an isolating experience, but a new partnership aims to change that. The Cancer Hope Network and the Colon Cancer Coalition have officially launched a peer support and mentorship program to connect colon cancer patients and caregivers with trained volunteers who truly understand their journey.
The initiative expands Cancer Hope Network’s established peer mentorship model to the Colon Cancer Coalition community, offering one-on-one support tailored to each individual’s needs. The goal is to forge genuine, trust-based mentor/mentee relationships, with matches carefully made based on factors like diagnosis, treatment, age, and lifestyle. This ensures that each connection provides comfort and common ground, delivering empathy, guidance, and, most importantly, hope.
An initial group of survivors from the Colon Cancer Coalition community have already completed Cancer Hope Network’s comprehensive volunteer training and are now prepared to serve as Peer Mentors.
“A cancer diagnosis is often described as a lonely journey,” Chris Evans, President of Colon Cancer Coalition said. “This partnership offers patients a mentor for support through a shared experience. We are so happy to be able to work with Cancer Hope Network to expand the reach to both patients and mentors.”
The need for this type of support is escalating. Although screening is now recommended starting at age 45, diagnoses of colon cancer are becoming increasingly common among younger adults in their 30s and 40s. With many of these patients turning to online resources, the partnership provides a critical lifeline.
Beth Blakey, executive director and chief operating officer at Cancer Hope Network, underscored the program’s core value. “The heart of Cancer Hope Network is connection,” she said. “By joining forces with the Colon Cancer Coalition, we are extending that connection to a community in urgent need of support. Together, we are inspiring hope and improving the quality of life for people impacted by colon cancer.”
