DETROIT – Colon cancer is often considered one of the most dangerous cancers — and studies show it’s now the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50. Advocates say it’s also one of the most preventable, which is why people are gathering Thursday night at McShane’s in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood to share their stories and raise money for awareness and research.
McShane’s owner Bob Roberts, who also serves as President of the Corktown Business Association, said staying busy has helped him keep moving forward through treatment.
“There’s not a lot of grass that grows under these feet,” Roberts said. “I try to stay as busy as I can even as sick as I am.”
Roberts said he was originally diagnosed in 2022 with Stage 4 colon cancer. After surgeries and months of chemotherapy, he reached what he believed was a major milestone. During a doctor’s visit around his three-year remission anniversary, he got more difficult news.
Doctors found additional cancer, Roberts said.
“They found three tumors. One on my left lung and abdominal cavity. And somewhere between 18 and 20 lesions in my liver,” Roberts said.
The diagnosis put him back at Stage 4, and he said he’s now undergoing additional treatments to stop the spread of lung and liver cancer. Roberts also shared how long it took him to process the news before telling others.
“This time, I was even more shocked,” Roberts explained through tears. “It took me about 9 days, to let anybody else know, because I had to make sure that I knew I was going to be OK first.”
Roberts said he didn’t initially notice symptoms.
Kat Sisler, a Kresge Foundation program officer and local yoga instructor, said her own experience, and her family history, is why she’s pushing people to get screened.
“My dad was diagnosed at 42,” Sisler said.
Sisler said that history led her to get a colonoscopy early, and doctors found a tumor.
“We were surprised to find a tumor, almost totally obstructing my colon,” she said.
After multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, Sisler said she recently marked an encouraging milestone.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have three years of clean scans this past month,” Sisler said.
Sisler is Co-Chair of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Never Too Young Task Force. She and Roberts are co-hosting Thursday’s fundraiser to support the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s research and patient resources, while also spreading the word about early screening.
“Know that this cancer is on the rise for those under 50,” Sisler said. “It’s really important that we get that message out.”
Organizers said attendees can also expect raffles and gift baskets, with prizes including sports and concert tickets.
“Concert tickets. Tigers tickets. Lions tickets. Golf bags. Tandem bikes. I mean all kinds of stuff that we’re raffling off,” Roberts said.
Both Roberts and Sisler emphasized that colon cancer can be treatable when caught early.
“The sooner you catch it, the better,” Roberts said.
Event details:
- What: Colorectal Cancer Alliance fundraiser
- When: Thursday July 30 (ends at 7 p.m.)
- Where: McShane’s Irish Pub & Whisky Bar, corner of Michigan Avenue and Trumbull in Corktown
- Fundraising goal: $10,000
If you can’t attend but want to support the effort, donations can be made through the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at https://colorectalcancer.org/. Organizers also said they’ll participate in Detroit’s upcoming Walk to End Colon Cancer next month.