Personal Stories

Michelle

Michelle Morneau didn't wait for opportunity to come find her; she has been putting herself out there working as a team of one for the past eight years tirelessly spreading awareness about colorectal cancer in her local Massachusetts community.

Morneau's grandfather, Walter Bradlinski, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and passed away shortly thereafter nine years ago. Morneau quickly found the Colon Cancer Alliance in her search for support and understanding.

"I think the CCA is a great group of people. They are very passionate and always taking on new ideas. I'm trying to find that passion where I live; I'm looking for the right group of people who have the passion," explained Morneau, who wants to start a Voices Volunteer chapter in Worcester, MA.

Most recently, Morneau used her personal influence to link the CCA with Captivate Network®, a digital programming and advertising network that broadcasts in elevators of major office buildings all across major U.S. cities.  Because of Michelle's influence, the CCA was able to air the “Screen My Colon!” PSA on 7,419 screens in 761 buildings in 19 major market cities during March 2010. Very exciting!

In the meantime, Morneau, who works full-time for Fidelity Investments, has worked with local health providers and consistently provided literature about CRC to local hospitals, clinics and events.  "The Colon Cancer Alliance has allowed me to get more involved and to help in the way I wanted to," said Morneau.
Morneau also got hundreds of people to participate in March's Dress in Blue Day and also volunteered her time at the Colon Cancer Challenge in New York City. She said that online networking and e-mail blasts were crucial to her success.

Additionally, she is keen to mention her involvement in the cause in every conversation she has, whether it be it at work, with friends and family or out and about at local establishments. "When I talk about my professional life, I talk about colon cancer in the same sentence," said Morneau.

In the next year, she hopes to kick off a fundraiser working with the local restaurants in her area and eventually bringing the CCA's Undy 5000 run to the state. "It just takes passion and focus," said Morneau, "without the two, it's hard."

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