Serving others is a quality that comes as second nature to Joe Criniti. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Joe has never shied away from a fight and knows the importance of having the right team and strategy to overcome your opponent.
In April 2015, just days after the passing of his mother and learning that he and his wife were expecting their second child, Joe was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Fighting for your life took on a new meaning, and Joe took action.
He met with Najjia Mahmoud, MD, who immediately empathized with Joe's concerns for not only his health, but also his growing family. "I decided to come to Penn because I knew I was in the best hands here. I had a difficult time connecting with other physicians. Dr. Mahmoud put me at ease about my diagnosis and made me feel comfortable from the moment I first met with her," says Joe.
Dr. Mahmoud suggested that Joe begin chemotherapy and radiation right away, followed by surgery and chemotherapy infusions to treat his cancer.
Joe knows as much as anyone how important it is to have the right team to go to battle with. For him that was his family and friends, along with his clinical team at Penn. "I felt like I was part of my own care team, Dr. Mahmoud explained my options and let me take the course I felt most comfortable with, I felt empowered," Joe says, "and my friends and family were there supporting me the whole way."
Knowing Joe so well, his friends created a schedule amongst themselves to take him to appointments, so he wouldn't go alone and his wife could stay home with their newborn. "They knew I wouldn't ask so they didn't ask — looking back on that now it means so much that they would do that and I cherish those trips with them."
Throughout his treatment, Joe recognized the stigma surrounding colon cancer, especially the lack of dialogue about getting screened for the disease. Now in remission, Joe was motivated to use his experience to help others. "I ignored the early signs and symptoms, and I was hung up on the stereotypes of this disease. I don't want others to have to learn the hard way, like I did," says Joe, "I realized that if I can help someone else who is going through what I did blindly, sharing my story is worth it."
Through his advocacy, Joe got involved with the Colon Cancer Coalition. An unexpected highlight was his participation in this year's Runway for a Cure fashion show, along with a friend who was recently diagnosed. "My friends rallied for me, they were there for me when I didn't even realize I needed them, and now I want to do that for others," says Joe, "I wouldn't have joined a fashion show otherwise. Educate and tell my story, sure; go to a 5k, okay, but only for my friends will I walk down the runway."
The fashion show brought together colon cancer thrivers, survivors, and caregivers to share their stories and rock the runway — and kick off Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
Whether it's through his debut on the runway or by sharing his story with others, Joe encourages people affected by colon cancer to educate themselves and ask questions, "and do their research, I was basing my quality of life off of stigmas and misinformation — so do your homework," Joe adds.