02/06/26: Live Like Rach is a mission to raise awareness of young-onset colorectal cancer. They want to make known the signs of colorectal cancer, and to bring a sense of importance of screening for early detection.

At 33, Rachel Ellingson was living her best life. The Shanley and UND graduate was an attorney working in New York City and engaged to the love of her life. After suffering bowel symptoms for some time, Rachel went to several doctors, who explained to her that she was too young for colorectal cancer. She persisted, however, and in October of 2015, she was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer can be treatable, and Rachel did undergo treatment. Tragically, on January 6, 2019, Rachel lost her fight with cancer, but her legacy lives on by spreading awareness for young-onset colorectal cancer.

Check out their Giving Hearts Day page and make a donation online. 

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)