06/02/2025
🎗 Cancer Survivor Awareness Month Spotlight 🎗
Meet Anna Marcum — hardworking bada**, devoted mom, and colon cancer survivor. Anna tackled her diagnosis with grit, grace, and just the right amount of sass — reminding us all that strength doesn’t always look like a superhero cape (sometimes it’s showing up, day after day, with determination and a smile).
She recently shared her story with us — the highs, the lows, and how she found purpose and power in the fight.
Anna’s journey is a heartfelt reminder of why keeping up with your preventative care matters. Screenings save lives — and catching things early can make all the difference. So if you’ve been putting off that appointment, let this be your friendly nudge to get it scheduled.
👇 Read below for Anna’s interview answers — a story of resilience, courage, and truly badass energy. 💪
—————————————————————
1: What’s something small that brought you joy during your recovery?
“Being able to enjoy a cup of coffee again.”
2: Was there a particular song movie or book that helped you through the tough times?
“Hold on-the Alabama Shakes”
3: Can you share a funny or unexpected moment that happened during your treatment or recovery?
“ My first a.m. at the colorectal surgeon’s office. Not only are you in a compromising position, but the room is decorated and donkeys. Yep it’s the a**room.”
4: What’s the new habit or perspective you’ve gained that you plan to keep forever?
“ Move your body. Any movement counts. Stretch, walk, take the stairs. Big or small doesn’t matter but do it every day. Appreciate the gift that is your body.”
5: Who or what kept you smiling on the hardest day?
“ There were a lot of hard days. It’s impossible to pick just one. There were phone calls from my husband and friends. My daughter would sit with me in the bathroom when I couldn’t leave. My mom was there for all of it. Work family showed up big for me with encouraging words, decorating my office and just taking care of me. I was so fortunate to have such an amazing support system
And p**p jokes! P**p jokes aren’t my favorite, but they’re a solid number two! 😂
6: How do you celebrate life now, big or small ways?
“ Show up and slow down enough to enjoy it. From feeling good enough, to work all day, just sitting in the kids pick up line, to go into the park, or just sitting. It all matters.”
7: If you could give your past self one word of encouragement, what would it be?
“Laugh.”
8: What does survivorship mean to you, and a word or phrase?
“ Move forward, never forget, support others.”
And last but not least:
How has your experience with cancer changed the way you see yourself for the world around you?
“ Some experience has changed you in ways you can’t describe. I didn’t feel like a cancer survivor until my port or removed one and a half years after treatment was completed. I didn’t feel like I had my life back until six months after that when I got my colostomy, I’ve learned the sooner you grieve what you lose in the process, the sooner you can embrace the new. Even when you survive, there’s no going back to the life you had before. The new one, though, could be even better. Be open, embrace it, and be kind to each other along the way.”
