Colon Cancer Survivor Risks Life to Save Others

WASHINGTON, DC — Stage III colon-cancer survivor Tom Davenport is gearing up for the trip of a lifetime: the "fromend2end" skiing expedition to and from the South Pole. Davenport will tackle a grueling two-and-a-half month ski trek across the Antarctic this November to raise money and awareness for colon cancer research.

"Hopefully, this adventure of a lifetime will make people check in with their doctors to determine their risk of colon cancer," said Davenport.

As endoscopic nurses know, prevention and early detection are the keys to ending colorectal cancer. Increased screening could reduce colon cancer diagnosis by 90 percent annually, according to some researchers.

Davenport is part of an international team that will take part in the 730-mile long, 10,000-foot elevation, skiing expedition. At the South Pole, Tom will switch from cross-country to downhill skis, unfurl a large kite and sail him back to where he began. The expedition  should be completed by mid-January 2009.

Davenport was diagnosed in 2006 and his cancer eventually reached the middle layers of his colon/rectum. After a year of tests, surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, he gradually got better. Davenport then realized there was no time like the present to pursue his dream of skiing and kiting to and from the South Pole.

Davenport enlisted the support of the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) to ensure that more people know the dangers of colorectal cancer and the importance of early screening. To learn more or to make a donation on Davenport’s behalf, visit the CCA website at www.ccalliance.org.

Source: CCA