Caregiver advocates for research during Appendix Cancer Awareness Month

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Two Mayo Clinic’s in the area, as well as around the state, lit up amber for Appendix Cancer Awareness Month, joining landmarks around the world in the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation’s (ACPMP) Light Up Amber campaign.

Physicians are learning more about the disease with the new CME course at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the LIving4Lindsey Foundation which provides practical support for young families facing the disease who need financial assistance.

According to a release, only 2-9 people per million are diagnosed each year. It’s often misdiagnosed or found late, which is why awareness matters.

Alexis Wieser’s father died two years ago from appendix cancer. He battled it for 10 years and had to HIPEC surgeries.

She was also his caregiver.

“When he was first diagnosed, no one had heard of it in our family. It was super new to us, to him. Which is why he took a while to go in with his symptoms, because he brushed it off as stomach pains, and thought they would go away on his own. By the time he went in, it had already spread and become more aggressive,” said Wieser.

Her aunt is also facing the same rare diagnosis.

One way they say you can help raise awareness and support research is to join the organization’s annual walks.