MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This month the Colon Cancer Coalition is launching a caregiver support network. The Tony Snow & Betty Jo Caregiver Network will provide financial and other support to colorectal cancer caregivers and family members while a loved one is in treatment, and to families who have lost someone to colorectal cancer. Donations are now being accepted that will provide one-time grants for families and caregivers to:
- Help cover unexpected expenses while a loved one is in treatment.
- Assist with the expense of counseling for families.
- Sponsor children to attend support camps and other coping opportunities.
- Provide opportunities to create family memories.
The Network is created in collaboration with Jennifer (Jenny) Snow Ashbrook of Wallingford, Penn. Jenny lost her mother, Betty Jo Snow, to colon cancer when she was only nine-years-old, and in 2008 also lost her brother, Tony (former Fox News Broadcaster and White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush), to this disease. "Losing my mother at such a young age left a hole in my heart and was the defining event of my young life," says Ashbrook. "It was so sad for me to see that cycle repeat when my brother passed away, and to see the impact it had on his family. I understand the emotional and financial toll of caring for and losing a loved one more than most. Supporting families who are facing that challenge has become my passion."
To kick off the fundraising efforts, Ashbrook, a lifelong endurance athlete, is participating in the Ironman U.S. Championships in New York City. On Saturday, April 11, she will be swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running a full marathon. Through her efforts, she hopes to bring awareness to the caregiver network and jumpstart fundraising so that the Colon Cancer Coalition can make funds available to caregivers by June 1, 2013 (Tony Snow's birthday).
"We are so proud of Jenny and her efforts," stated Kristin Tabor, founder of the Colon Cancer Coalition and the Get Your Rear in Gear series of races for colon cancer awareness and education. "The creation of the Tony Snow & Betty Jo Caregiver Network with her is something that makes sense for our organization. I felt a void after I lost my sister to this disease, and I am excited that we will be able to reach out and help others in similar situations."
For more information or to make a donation to the Tony Snow & Betty Jo Caregiver Network, please visit GetYourRearInGear.com/Caregivers. You can follow Jenny's progress during the Ironman U.S. Championships on Saturday, August 11, at the Get Your Rear in Gear Facebook page.
About the Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear
Get Your Rear in Gear events are presented nationally by the Colon Cancer Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. The events are 100% volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. To date the Colon Cancer Coalition has distributed nearly $1.5 million from the Get Your Rear in Gear events back into local communities for colon cancer education, prevention, and screening. By making the words colon, colorectal and colonoscopy a part of the everyday language, we believe we can overcome the fear and decrease deaths from this largely preventable cancer. A history of the organization, upcoming events, and a list of programs receiving funding from the Colon Cancer Coalition can be found at GetYourRearInGear.com.
The Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11862
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13944
