Randy Henniger resides in Folsom, CA with his wife Patricia.

In 1986, when he was only 30 years old, Randy Henniger was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. The doctors gave him less than 30% survival. A week later Randy had surgery to remove the lower portion of his colon and rectum, resulting in a permanent colostomy. After the surgery, Randy was treated with radiation therapy for six weeks, resulting in severe pain and also affecting his urinary tract. Over the next several years he underwent multiple surgeries to try to correct the problems caused by radiation. Doctors told him he would never be able to take part in many of the outdoor activities he enjoyed or even to lift his kids, Jeff (5) and Josh (3) at that time. Randy’s determination and courage changed his prognosis.

Today, Randy regularly enjoys yoga, cycling, mountain climbing, scuba diving and surfing. He has successfully climbed to the top of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental U.S. at 14,495 feet, not just once, but twice!

He believes that in order to win against cancer, one should eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink a lot of water and fight with a mission to win.

"After surgery, I realized that everything I thought was important, like climbing the corporate ladder or getting that new car, really wasn’t. I started to focus more on my family and helping others," said Randy.

Randy's wife Patricia, who fought his cancer valiantly alongside her husband said "Randy is a giver. He gives all of himself."

There cannot be more truth to her statement. As soon as he got cured, Randy dedicated himself to his family and became a part-time surfing instructor and teamed up with the Wounded Warrior Program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego to instruct service members who are physically challenged due to battlefield trauma, cancer or birth defects. He is teaching them how to overcome these challenges and enjoy surfing! And he says he is continually inspired by the bravery of these heroic service members who rise above many tough challenges to enjoy the thrill of riding a wave. Recently, Randy had the privilege to offer surfing lessons to a service member along with his 11-year-old daughter. The father had lost his right leg below the knee.

"The father wiped out over and over again, and all I could hear was the excited laughter he shared with his daughter during our lessons. His daughter was thrilled to ride in toward her dad on the surf board. When she stood up and rode a wave all the way in, they both lit up like roman candles. It was a beautiful and touching father/daughter moment!" said Randy.

This 2011 Great Comebacks^® Award Recipient, West Region spends a lot of time supporting other people affected by cancer and their families by sharing his own experiences to inspire them and give them hope and understanding. He is active in the Colon Cancer Alliance Buddy Program, the American Cancer Society and the cancer survivorship programs at Hoag Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital.

"I stand for hope. Even when the odds are a million to one, I tell people that they can be that one, but it’s up to them to fight. It’s the battle for your life and no one has more at stake than you."

Randy's personal website is https://sites.google.com/site/randyhenniger/home. He is the author of the book "The Battle Won! Blue Note Fund Edition" that takes the reader through the Henniger family's journey to defeat colon cancer together.