Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa

03/05/2026

📣 Do you want to help spread colon cancer awareness with us this March? 📣

Whether you're a healthcare provider, patient advocate, patient/survivor, family member, or friend — you should utilize our FREE educational materials! 💙

Info cards and brochures are available to be shipped to you or downloaded at no cost, in Spanish or English, and select brochures are downloadable in 10 different languages!! 🎉

Check out what information you can share 👉 https://ow.ly/pI0X50Yl36M

12/02/2025

12/01/2025

Our 2025 GYRIG event, year 16!

Great work out of Nick McCluskey!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

08/19/2025

Here we go! It's almost time to Get Your Rear in Gear! Here are three ways you can still register:
🏃Online
🏃At Packet Pickup
Friday, August 22, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Racoon River Park
2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50265
🏃The morning of the event at 7:30 AM

However you join us, we're glad you're here!

Online registration closes August 22nd at 11 AM, so sign up now!👉 https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-PPU1

08/06/2025

Join us after Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines for our Post-Race Party from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, with live music by The Sheet! 🎉🎶

Hamburgers, hotdogs, and some beverages will be provided! (Bringing your own beverages encouraged)! 🍔🌭🥤

https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-party1

08/01/2025

Did you know that 100% of your fundraising efforts for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines support colorectal cancer screening, awareness, and patient support in the local area?

When you donate to or fundraise for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines, your money makes a difference right here at home to increase screening and save lives from colorectal cancer.

THANK YOU to our Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines community!💙

Still need to register? Sign up now! →
https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-impact1

07/22/2025

“After many long months of doctor's appointments and not feeling well, in February of 2017, my brother, Jeremy Rucker, was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at age 36,” shares Jamie Hanson, Team Captain of “Jeremy’s Warriors” participating in Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines.

“Jeremy met with an oncologist, and because he had a tumor that was pushing up against his stomach, and they weren’t sure where else it might be attached to, he was given the option to have surgery right away or do chemo to try to shrink the tumor and then have surgery,” continues Jamie. “After many discussions, Jeremy chose to go the chemotherapy route.”

“He met with a pharmacist, nutritionist, and others to get the ball rolling. They decided to do a couple rounds of chemo and then scan him again to see if the tumor shrank. If it had, they would continue chemo, but if it hadn’t, then they would do the surgery.”

“After over a month of chemo treatments, Jeremy became very sick. He was admitted to the local hospital for a weekend. After a few more weeks, Jeremy met with his doctors. They decided to place a feeding because he had lost so much weight and needed nutrition. They also admitted him to the hospital once again, where he was hospitalized for 3 weeks.”

“He was able to get his levels to where they were safe and gain a little weight. It was then decided that he was no longer going to have chemo. They were able to get him approved for Keytruda.”

“He continued to have struggles with the feeding tube, so it was decided to place a PICC line to assist with nutrition. The PICC line worked its magic, and the feeding tube was eventually removed. The PICC line stayed in for a couple of months. During this time, Jeremy was finally able to eat with his mouth again. He finally started gaining all of his weight and energy back. His tumor was shrinking, and it was eventually agreed to continue on Keytruda for 2 years unless the tumor started to grow back.”

“In July of 2017, Jeremy had a CT scan and received amazing news. The CT showed complete/nearly complete resolution of his tumor. Jeremy was feeling better than ever,” concludes Jamie. “He gets yearly colonoscopies and endoscopies, and a CT scan every 6 months. He still fights this battle every day, but his story is a miracle!!”

Join Jamie and Iowa’s community of patients, advocates, family, and friends for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines on Saturday, August 23rd at Raccoon River Park!

We can’t wait to see you there!
https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-story5

07/15/2025

“I’m the Team Captain for Runaway Train, and this will be my third year,” shares Matt DeDoncker, a Team Captain participating in Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines.

“In November of 2022, my best friend of 35 years, Kyle Jacobsen, was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer,” shares Matt. “He had fallen on my boat over the Fourth of July, and thought he bruised his tailbone. He had been struggling with the pain from that all summer and into the fall.”

“He was finally convinced to go to the doctor and immediately found out that it was not a bruised tailbone. Things escalated pretty quickly as the cancer had already taken hold. Kyle passed away a year and 3 days after his diagnosis, leaving behind his wife and 2 children.”

“I felt compelled to do something in support and memory of him after he passed,” continues Matt. “Kyle Jacobsen was a kind-hearted soul and a good person, always willing to help and always ready to be there if you needed him. We have grown together for many years to the point that our families have become one giant family. We spend a lot of time together, and the loss of Kyle has rocked us all.”

“Kyle would not want anyone to have to experience what he had to with this horrible disease. He encouraged us all to get checked once he was diagnosed to make sure we were all ok. No one ever thinks it will happen to them until it does, and you are faced with the could've, should've, would've scenario,” concludes Matt. “Get your colonoscopy done and be proactive in your health.”

Join Matt and Iowa’s community of patients, advocates, family, and friends for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines on Saturday, August 23rd at Raccoon River Park!

We can’t wait to see you there!
https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-story3

07/09/2025

Meet Natalie Fosdick, a Team Captain participating in Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines.

Natalie’s dad was never sick, so he never went to the doctor until her mom told him that he needed to get a physical. After his bloodwork showed that he was anemic, and three stool samples came back positive for blood, he went in for a colonoscopy. That’s when his cancer was discovered.

“He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and had treatments,” shares Natalie. “Then, once he had genetic testing done and it was determined that he had Lynch Syndrome, he had to have surgery again because they said the cancer would return.”

“This time, it was to remove the remainder of his colon except the last 12 inches,” continues Natalie. “This recovery was very hard on him, and he had complications. He was in the hospital for an extended period of time.”

He was in remission for a few years before the cancer returned, and he was able to beat it again for a short time before it returned once again. “This time,” shares Natalie, “he ended up being placed in hospice in December 2011. They didn’t know if he’d make it through all the holidays. He fought hard and strong before succumbing on May 26, 2012. He was only 52 years old.”

“My sister and I tested for Lynch Syndrome, and she has it as well. More of my family got tested, and they also have Lynch Syndrome. I didn’t test positive. I’m thankful for that, but also worry about relatives going through similar things as my dad did. I’m also thankful that my mom encouraged him to go to the doctor because if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have lived as long as he did,” concludes Natalie. “Screening and early detection are so important!”

Join Natalie and Iowa’s community of patients, advocates, family, and friends for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines on Saturday, August 23rd at Raccoon River Park!

We can’t wait to see you there!
https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-story1

06/23/2025

Meet David McCluskey, colorectal cancer survivor and Local Event Director for Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines. David started the Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa with his wife, Winonah, in memory of David Kinman who passed away at 36 after a hard-fought battle against colon cancer.

David’s mission and passion are to find a way to help families fight this terrible disease. Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines allows him to make an impact by increasing screening rates, raising awareness, and providing financial assistance to families affected by colorectal cancer in Iowa.

Join David and the local community of patients, survivors, caregivers, family, and friends on Saturday, August 23, at Raccoon River Park! We can’t wait to see you there!

https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=FBpost-LED

02/13/2025

Registration is open for the 16th Annual Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines! Let's GOOOO!

Help support Colon Cancer Coalition today!

08/09/2024

Join us after Get Your Rear in Gear - Des Moines for our Post-Race Party with live music by The Sheet!🍔🌭🎉🎤

https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/desmoines/?rbref=party