Butt-Check.org

University of Arizona, Pioneered Integrative Medicine, Tucson, Arizona

Kim Adair at the University of Arizona with her macaw, Charlotte.

Photo by David Sanders Photography.

Emmanuelle J. Meuillet, PhD.

Dr. Meuillet aims to understand the role of inflammation in colon carcinogenesis and to develop a novel targeted therapy to treat it. A five-year, $1.784,878 grant from the national Cancer Center Institute will fund her research.

Photo by David Sanders Photography.

UA Technology Innovation Awardee, Eugene Gerner, Ph.D.

Left to right, Gene Gerner, former director of the gastrointestinal cancer program at the Arizona Cancer Center, Kim Adair and Scott Leischow, one of the top behavioral scientists worldwide.

Scott is associate director for Biobehavioral and social scientists research at the Arizona Cancer Center and professor at the College of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Arizona.

Photo by Sandy Gerner in front of the Kodak Theater for Standup2Cancer Event, 2008.

I want to say "Thank You Two" for your contributions for a healthier world!

Ricki Park meets Katie Couric at a fundraiser in Denver, Colorado for Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. Ricki lost the ultimate battle, but her legacy of hope and perseverance live on. Kim Adair and Butt-check.org are dedicating all their efforts to promote early detection and education in memory of Ricki. More on her wonderful life will be posted on this site in the near future.

Katie listening to the survivor stories of Ricki Park and Linda Scaglia in Denver, July 13th 2006. Their stories are in our Survivor Stories section.

Picture of colon cancer survivors Ricki Park, Kim Adair and Linda Scaglia with Katie Couric at Rocky Mountain Fundraiser in Denver 2006. Linda and Kim had just met Ricki a few minutes pior. Ricki then became an inspiration and helped fuel the idea for a campaign to encourage everyone to get educated about colon cancer and prevention. Butt-Check.org was created and supported by amazing and caring individuals. People are getting checked as a result!

Dr. Mozia speaks at the first Butt-Check event, a luncheon in Golden, Colorado.

Sheriff Ted Mink speaking of losing a couple of men in his unit to colon cancer. Encouraging the men with humor..."Real men get checked."

Survivor and founder of Butt-check.org, Kim Adair, presenting the first Butt-Check polo shirt to the doctor who "saved my butt!"

Ricki Park's luminary bags.

Hi. I’m Glenn Park, Ricki’s companion and husband for almost 30 years, and I’d like to tell you a little more about the bravest, most beautiful and most loving woman I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t be writing this if she could but Ricki passed away from complications from her colon cancer on July 4th, 2007. I know I should have written this sooner but I simply couldn’t bring myself to sit down and do it. It feels a lot like closure but now I know she’ll always be with me and I really need to finish her story in a way that will honor her and her incredible life and, hopefully, encourage you to do all that you can to avoid an ending like hers.

Ricki‘s 6 year fight with colon cancer was many things to her. It was painful, the greatest trial she ever faced and maybe her most shining time both spiritually and emotionally. The thought of dying scared her but her faith in a life to come never wavered. She also was tremendously sad as she faced the reality of leaving her children, grandchildren and family way too early and with so much still not finished but she was able to get a lot of living and loving done in those last 6 years.

The saddest part of it all though, was that it was so unnecessary. Ricki had presented symptoms for almost 2 years prior to her finally being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Had the decision been made to utilize the most comprehensive diagnostic tool available, a full colonoscopy, much earlier rather than continually re-doing less expensive diagnostic procedures, she could have been properly diagnosed at Stage I or even Stage II and she would probably still be alive today.

I suppose the point of my (her) message is to encourage you, the reader, to take responsibility for your own health and do everything you can to ensure that your life is as full and rich and long as you can make it. Follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendations regarding getting a colonoscopy as you reach the appropriate age – and continue into the future. Be even more intentional if there’s any history of colon cancer in your family and, finally, demand – and don’t be swayed – a colonoscopy if you have any of the following symptoms: blood in your stool, unexpected weight loss, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort or pain or fatigue. I know, you could have many of these symptoms and NOT have cancer but wouldn’t you rather know that than wait and risk being diagnosed at Stage IV?

I and Ricki’s entire family miss her terribly. She was beautiful and loving and warm and funny and we’ll never have the pleasure of just sitting down to a birthday dinner with her again. Don’t leave your family this way! So, thank you for reading this and, hopefully, making the commitment to do whatever it takes to take the best possible care of yourself for you and yours. God bless you all.

Rocky Mountain Society of Gastroenterology Nurses And Associates (RMSGNA) Meeting October 8th, 2008
Kim Adair, guest speaker.

"My surgeon, and medical advisor for Butt-Check, Doctor Nelson Mozia, was to speak as well, but got called into surgery...wonderful fun to share my story with nurses who need the lighter side of a patient -survival story at times!

Medical advisor and cancer awareness colleague Doctor Jerry Howell looks on as I get right to the "Butt" of things!"