In 2022, the annual Brian Olson Memorial Golf Tournament raised $29,570 for St. Luke’s cancer services and colorectal cancer research.

Each year, more than 130 golfers play and donate on behalf of the late Brian Olson, who passed away at the age of 39 following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Since it began, the tournament has raised $550,000 for cancer care at St. Luke’s.

Colorectal cancer is the number two cause of cancer-related deaths in Idaho. In 2020, 234 Idahoans died and 677 were diagnosed with the disease. The key to prevention is early detection. According to Dr. Dan Zuckerman, St. Luke's Cancer Institute medical oncologist, “Most polyps, or growths, have a 70 percent chance of turning into cancer if they’re not removed.”

The American Cancer Society recently announced a change to its colonoscopy screening recommendations as the result of increased rates of colon and rectal cancer rates among young people. It now recommends screenings beginning at age 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendation, and every 10 years subsequently.

Those considered high risk or who have a family health history of colon cancer should be screened more frequently. St. Luke’s treated nearly 50 patients younger than 40 last year. To begin to understand this trend, St. Luke’s is participating in a groundbreaking national research study. More than 17,000 colon cancer patients from around the world will collect and donate blood, stool and tumor samples for clues into cause and prevention.

A portion of the funds raised at the annual Brian Olson tournament are used for research purposes, covering the cost of study kits so local patients can participate. Proceeds from the event will continue cover the cost of a colonoscopy for financially qualifying individuals..

“The opportunity for our small community to be part of this global effort to solve the epidemic of colon and rectal cancers is exciting,” said Rudy Pinon, volunteer event director. “This study, along with  providing financial assistance for colonoscopies, makes a tangible difference in preventing this disease from devastating another family. That’s what this tournament is all about and that’s what Brian would have wanted.”