Physically active and frequently busy, Rebecca Gruber was accustomed to fitting routine hospital visits into her schedule whenever she could. However, when what seemed like an ordinary screening revealed she had developed colon cancer, she found herself in deep uncertainty. With help from her loved ones and NewYork-Presbyterian, she’s managing life with the disease and promoting the importance of diligent wellness.
“Sitting in the infusion waiting room, looking around at so many others going through the same thing, it really hit me,” recalls Rebecca Gruber. “We need to get the word out about the importance of early screenings.” There was no history of colon cancer in her family and no concerning symptoms; moreover, she exercised often and had completed several half-marathons. However, Rebecca’s life had gotten particularly busy in 2024, requiring her to delay her first colonscopy screening for several months. Nevertheless, there was nothing to concern her.
“I had no reason to think I would be anything other than fine,” she notes. “I was busy chatting with my husband about what I was going to eat afterward when Dr. (Amir) Soumekh came in and gave me the news.” The findings were a total surprise, and Rebecca’s life soon became a whirlwind of tests, meetings, and difficult conversations leading to her diagnosis. “Those first three weeks where you’re getting a plan in place and going for a thousand tests, it just feels like you’re going through the motions at that point. It just doesn’t feel real.”
As navigating the disease caused her energy and capacity to fluctuate, she found herself spending more time at home—sharing countless moments of closeness and kindness with her husband and sons. “Before my own diagnosis, I probably would’ve said that showing up with flowers or a home-cooked meal was the best way to support someone going through a serious health issue,” she states. “But living through it myself has changed my perspective. What has meant the most to me is when people simply check in—even just a quick text to say they’re thinking of me. For family members, simply listening and not necessarily trying to offer up solutions but actually listening and commiserating has been the most supportive (though offering to do the laundry and make dinner helps, too!).”
Her friends are another pillar: gifting her Lego sets, joining her for walks in the park, and meeting for coffee or dinner whenever possible. “They remind me to laugh, they let me vent or cry when I need to, and they remind me that I’m more than just a patient—that there’s still a lot of life outside of all this,” she offers. “They’ve wrapped their arms around not just me but my family, too, which means more than I can ever put into words. They’re the kind of people who cheer me on when I’m struggling and keep me grounded when things get heavy.”
Determined to embrace the fullness of life while managing her condition, Rebecca also found comfort and strength with the expert care teams of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. “I’m incredibly grateful for my team at NewYork-Presbyterian and the Jay Monahan Center,” she says. Clinicians welcomed her every question, and surgeons frequently followed up with her after her procedures. “No one rushed me,” Rebecca recalls. “They’ve made me feel truly supported and cared for every step of the way, and I can only hope other patients feel that same level of compassion and expertise during their own journeys.”
Inspired by her experience with the Hospital and with a personal commitment to community, Rebecca decided she would facilitate a collective Peloton ride in support of NewYork-Presbyterian. “I realized I wanted to fundraise when I started really understanding the scope of this disease. The statistics around colon cancer are mind-boggling—especially the sharp rise in cases among people under 50,” she offers. “Philanthropy has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.” She continues: “I grew up watching it in action—my grandmother was constantly volunteering with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and my mom served as the regional president of a Jewish women’s organization before becoming the director of development for the largest nonprofit serving older adults in the D.C. area. Giving back wasn’t just something we talked about—it was something we did. It’s been ingrained in me from the beginning, and now it’s something I feel deeply committed to continuing in my own way.”
The ride was filled with several dozen of Rebecca’s loved ones, doctors, and community members participating both in the studio and at home while also raising money and awareness about the importance of on-time colon cancer screenings. “We need to support research to understand why these numbers are climbing so fast. I’ve never been one to sit around and wait for others to do for me, so fundraising felt like a way to turn something hard into something that could actually help others.”
Reflecting on her experience, Rebecca offers solace to those confronted with an unexpected diagnosis. “Be patient. The first few weeks of tests, scans, and nonstop appointments are overwhelming and exhausting, but you’ll soon have a plan of action and can start moving forward.” She also encourages openness and honesty, reminding people to embrace life beyond the operating room. “Talk about your fears—don’t internalize it all, or you will combust. And figure out what or where you can turn to escape the madness of those first few weeks. For me, it was walks in Central Park to remember that there is life beyond the news I was receiving in the hospital.”