This event put a spotlight where the sun don’t shine.
A colon cancer survivor organized a fund-raiser at 773 Lounge in Ditmas Park on April 21 to raise money for the national Colon Cancer Coalition, which funds screening and education about recognizing the signs and symptoms of the cancer. The organizer of the “Beers for Rears” event — which raised $2,900 — said she committed to fund-raising and focusing on raising awareness when she entered remission 18 months ago.
“Through remission I’ve made it my goal that I will raise money through awareness,” said Margaret Small.
Small was diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer in February 2016 — at just 42 years old — and endured six months of intense chemotherapy, she said. Being diagnosed years before most people begin screening for the illness has motivated Small to focus on raising awareness among young people, who are more likely to be diagnosed today than in years’ past.
“It’s becoming more and more prominent among young people,” Small said. “People need to be aware and know what the symptoms are.”
At Saturday’s beer-fueled fund-raiser, attendees enjoyed pints and entered raffles for gift cards to restaurants in the Ridge — including Vesuvio and Casa Calamari — and other local eateries, plus a family package for four box seats to a Cyclones game at MCU Park in Coney Island, Small said.
