NBC-10 profiles Get Your Rear in Gear survivor

The Philadelphia Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk brought out over 1500 participants, including colon cancer survivor Tony Pace, and Dr. Philip Pearson the “outstanding” colorectal surgeon who treated him. Tony’s team, “Fecal Matters” celebrated his recovery from a late stage colon diagnosis by participating in the March awareness event.

Pace had been an avid cyclist until his diagnosis, averaging 200-300 miles on his bike every week. At 48, he was too young for a routine screening colonoscopy. But after experiencing symptoms, he pursued testing and found that he had a large tumor in his colon with metastasis to his liver.  It was “the worst possible prognosis,” says Dr. Pearson in this NBC-10 story. Journalists Renee Chenault-Fattah & Kathie McDermott tell the story of his treatment and recovery in the video story.

Tony, now 50,  says that the most amazing thing about this whole experience is that within a day of the NBC story being aired, at least three people got in touch with him to tell him that they gotten screened for colon cancer.  He adds, “the whirlwind of support has been amazing.”  Although Tony is currently cancer free, he is still “growing polyps like a banshee.” He will need one more surgery which he hopes will take place in August. After that, Tony plans to get on with his life and get back on his bike. He is also looking forward to next year’s Philadelphia Get Your Rear in Gear event.