Remembering A Hero: Chadwick Boseman

The Colon Cancer Foundation is heartbroken to learn of the passing of a super hero, Chadwick Boseman. On behalf of the Foundation, we would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the Boseman family and to the many lives who were touched by Chadwick.

Chadwick Boseman’s life was tragically cut short after a four year battle with the nation’s second deadliest cancer and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Now we know he was diagnosed in 2016, the same year he debuted as King T’Challa in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War. He inspired generations through his incredible performances from 42, Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Marshall, among others. He was talented and well-educated, having graduated from both Howard University and the British American Drama Academy. He was an advocate, an amazing role model, and a superhero to many as he showed us what we are capable of achieving no matter what the circumstance. We now know he was fighting his private battle with colon cancer while encouraging us to take our own starring role in these trying times. 

In 2008, the Colon Cancer Foundation was officially established with a formal mission: supporting research into the causes and cures for colorectal cancer; increasing public awareness and educating the public about the importance of early detection by forming strategic partnerships in the fight against colorectal cancer. As recent trends continue to show that more young people between the ages of` 20-49 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, we are working harder than ever to continue our mission to save lives. 

Since 2014, we have hosted our annual Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Summit (EAO-CRC), the nation’s only interdisciplinary event that brings together leading clinicians and scientists, as well as early age onset (EAO) colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors and caregivers from across the globe. The program provides extensive opportunities for participants to advance their understanding of the rapidly increasing incidence of rectal and colon cancer among young adults under 50 years of age in the U.S. and abroad. We encourage you to check out the executive summaries of our past summits to learn more about this increase in crc incidence among young people: https://www.coloncancerfoundation.org/about/eao-crc/

As we continue to work towards a World Without Colorectal Cancer, we encourage you to #CheckItForChadwick and to consider donating in honor of Chadwick’s memory