Humorous, sorrowful and colorful stories were told Wednesday night to remember colon cancer victim Meredith Rankin and to help bring awareness to young adults about the risks of cancer.
The goal of Miracle Colon Cancer Foundation, which Rankin founded, is to raise awareness about symptoms that indicate colon cancer and to provide financial assistance to young adults undergoing treatment for colon cancer.
Rankin was described as magnetic and ambitious. Her college roommate, Jessica Polstel, said she didn't notice any signs of cancer while living with Rankin in college until she came back from studying abroad and began to burp constantly and lose weight.
Rankin was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, yet her health continued to decline.
Family and friends never put together the pieces until she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006.
Justin Rankin, Meredith's husband, said she was diagnosed with cancer three weeks before they were to be married in Muncie.
After being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, she died April 22, 2008.
Before she died, Rankin told her mother, Julie, that she wanted to start a foundation to prevent anyone from experiencing what she went through.
At Wednesday's event, Sara Carpenter spoke about being diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, and Maggie Owens talked about going through chemotherapy for breast cancer at the same time Rankin was receiving treatment.
Dr. Joe Songer explained the symptoms of colon cancer including irregular bowel movements, weight loss, fatigue, and anemia.
Laura Platt, Rankin's sister, said even if someone is noticing symptoms, they need to take their health and body seriously and not miss what their body is telling them.
"While the chances to get colon cancer at a young age is small, it's important for all of us to be our own advocates of our own health," Platt said.
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