Founder & Board Chair Grace L. Butler, Ph.D.

My name is Grace Butler, I am an academician by profession, but in 1999 my life was changed forever.   I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. Major surgery and chemotherapy were traumatic but I survived.

My journey through the healthcare system revealed that colorectal cancer is highly preventable yet people are suffering and dying needlessly from this disease.  My journey also revealed that low-income people, those with no insurance, or people who could not afford health insurance deductible, were likely to be overlooked when it came to prevention and early detection. Although I had health insurance, I’d never been recommended for a colonoscopy.  This simple screening procedure would have prevented the suffering and enormous expense of surgery, chemotherapy and other related consequences.

I decided to do something to help others from suffering the way I did.  I founded Hope Through Grace, Inc. a non-profit organization, whose mission is to eliminate colorectal cancer.  The organization seeks to create awareness, offer education, and provide funds to help defray the cost of colonoscopy screenings to the vast number of people who may be struck by this disease due to lack of knowledge, lack of money, lack of motivation or other.

I thank God every day that I survived my ordeal; as a result, I now can help others understand that one test, ONE TEST, may save their life.

I've told my story from the kitchen to the White House, yes, to the U. S. President, and will continue to do so until the importance of screening for colorectal cancer prevention and early-detection is etched into the hearts and minds of people throughout the land.

My message is simple - Don’t suffer and die due to vanity; if you are 50 years or older, or if you have a family history of this disease, GET SCREENED it may save your life.

Dedicated to Colorectal Cancer Prevention,
Early Detection, and Cancer Survivorship