Vincent Gracia lost his father to colorectal cancer earlier this year and says more awareness is needed.
SAN ANTONIO — Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. with over 150,000 new cases expected this year alone. Today we introduce you to one young man who is carrying on his late father’s legacy, by spreading a message of hope to help keep anyone from becoming another statistic to this deadly disease.
“We found out that he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. And so we he knew right away, you know, there was no more dilly dallying,” said Vincent Gracia who lost his father just two months ago after a four year battle with colorectal cancer.
When his father was diagnosed, Gracia said he was only given four months.
“It was four years because my dad was a hell of a fighter. But also, it was it was a new journey for him,” he said.
Gracia says that journey included support from friends, family, his faith and the American Cancer Society, where he was both a volunteer and a spokesperson.
“He was always into giving interviews and all that,” he said. “And I’m very grateful for that and ACS, because I feel like it gave my father another reason to fight.”
Some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer you can’t change include age, your race, your ethnic background, your sex at birth and family history. Some of the risk factors you can change include obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use and diets high in red meats.
Gracia says staying on top of your health and getting screened is a must.
“In the case of my father, they did say if he had been screened maybe even five years prior, then things would have been different,” he said.
Next Sunday, April 12 is the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K. Vincent’s father was planning to be there. Nick still will be along with friends and family, and says it’s a great way show support, and show others going through a cancer battle, that they aren’t alone.
“Just walking along with everybody and even just being there at the event, is a big show of support that those people need,” Gracia said.
If you don’t have the time you can also donate directly to the American Cancer Society for much needed life-saving research.
“Any way that helps, you know, no matter how small,… Anything helps,” he said.