Jeffery A. Colby Colon Cancer Research Fund

In April, 1999, our close friend Jeff Colby was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45. On February 9, 2001, Jeff lost his long and arduous battle with this terrible disease. Inspired by Jeff’s determination and courage, and having witnessed firsthand the devastation that this affliction can cause, we wanted to do something to create a public awareness about the disease in Jeff’s memory.

Although Jeff attended college at the University of Illinois, he had great affection for the University of Michigan, where his children, Aaron and Alix, received their degrees. On one of Jeff’s last trips to Michigan, he called us to say that he had been walking around campus feeling terribly sad because he realized that this might be his last opportunity to visit the school. He was unfortunately getting too sick to make this trip from his home in Los Angeles. Struck by Jeff’s love for the University, and cognizant of the meaningful cancer research and treatment that was taking place at U of M’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, we proposed to Jeff the idea of forming a research fund at Michigan. At once, he was excited by the idea of promoting colon cancer research and awareness. Understandably, he was touched by our plan to name the fund in his honor. Shortly thereafter, The Jeffery A. Colby Colon Cancer Research Fund was established at the U of M. Jeff’s Fund was created with two primary goals: educating the public about colon cancer prevention, and sponsoring research towards finding a lasting cure for colon cancer.

Since its formation, Jeff’s Fund has supported meaningful research at U of M’s Comprehensive Cancer Center leading to continuing advancements in colon cancer detection and prevention. At the same time, Jeff’s Fund continues to provide education on topics such as the benefits of early screening, especially each March during Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

We are proud of the accomplishments achieved through Jeff’s Fund, and we are very grateful to those who have been most generous in their donations and gifts. With your continuing support, we believe that a cure for colon cancer will be found. Our sincere thanks to all of you.

Dana and Aaron Colby
Alix and Brian Teppel
Wendy and the late Stewart Dolin