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| Bruce Weber, 54
Head Coach, University of Illinois Men’s Basketball
Champaign, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: See all my girls graduate from college ... yes, even from Purdue; remain humble - appreciate all that I have because it can be taken away in a heartbeat; maintain a first-rate Illini basketball program and get tested for colon cancer.
In the 2004-05 season, Bruce Weber became the first coach in the 100-year history of Big Ten basketball to win consecutive outright titles in his first two seasons. That season will be remembered as the greatest in Fighting Illini history...for now.
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| Deanna Demuzio
State Senator, 49th Legislative District
Carlinville, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Be there for my family, particularly my grandchildren; eat right and exercise regularly -- not just for me, but for all of my family and friends; save lives by promoting colon cancer awareness and encouraging testing and get tested for colon cancer.
In 2004, Deanna Demuzio was the unanimous choice to fill the vacancy created when her husband, Senate Majority Leader Vince Demuzio, passed away due to colon cancer at the age of 62. Sen. Demuzio championed legislation creating the Vince Demuzio Memorial Colon Cancer Fund, a check-off on the Illinois individual tax return form, to help spread the word about colon cancer testing to those most at risk.
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| Cliff Kelley
Radio Host, The Cliff Kelley Show (WVON 1450 AM)
Chicago, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Exercise regularly; manage my time more efficiently; continue to live a healthy lifestyle and get tested for colon cancer.
A native Chicagoan and attorney, Cliff Kelley has been active in Chicago's political arena for more than 30 years, including 16 years in the City Council. Kelley has been a talk show host for more than 10 years, and offers a wealth of knowledge on local, national and international affairs, including the importance of colon cancer testing, to his audience.
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| Theresa Grentz, 56
Head Coach, University of Illinois Women’s Basketball
Champaign, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Train seeing-eye dogs: open a restaurant; exercise at least three times a week and get tested for colon cancer.
The sixth winningest women's basketball coach in NCAA history, Theresa Grentz has made her mark. Now in her 32nd year as a head coach and her 11th season leading the Illini women’s program, Grentz leads a full life on and off the court – and she plans to continue doing so.
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| Larry Suffredin
Cook County Commissioner, 13th District
Chicago, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Schedule annual physical; have a prostate test; have a skin exam and get tested for colon cancer.
A lifelong resident of Chicagoland, Larry Suffredin’s a legal career spans nearly three highly successful decades. His extensive state and federal trial experience includes arguing cases before the United States and Illinois Supreme Courts. As for the importance of looking after his own health, there’s no argument there.
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| Jerry Lambert, 59
Anchor, WICS-TV News Channel 20
Springfield, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Eat better, exercise more and spend less time worrying about things I cannot change or influence; read books I never had time for, and visit exotic places; spend more time with my family in Florida and get tested for colon cancer.
As a veteran reporter/anchor, Jerry Lambert started his broadcast career in 1974 during an army assignment in Italy. He worked briefly as a radio DJ, eventually moving into AFRTS-TV. Lambert is an avid runner, having completed one marathon and over 75 shorter distances over his 20-plus years of running. But he knows how to kick back, too – and plans to be around a long time to do so.
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| Pat Benton
Radio Host, Pat Benton’s Celebration of Life (Magic 95.1)
Marion, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Learn to play guitar; travel everywhere, anywhere; sleep in until at least 6 a.m. and get screened for colon cancer.
Dreams of becoming an actor lured Pat Benton to Jackson, Mississippi. But Benton realized quickly that an actor in Mississippi could starve to death, so he started working late nights and early mornings at radio stations all over the South. That parlayed into a 35-year radio career. But when it comes to taking care of himself, Pat is more than just talk.
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| Lee Spencer, 54
Truck Driver, Volunteer Firefighter
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Get fit and lose weight; treasure the smaller things in life; take time to enjoy my hobbies and get tested for colon cancer.
Lee Spencer is the proud father of four sons and volunteers with the American Cancer Society in Lake County. As a 30-year volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania and an elected official in local government, Spencer understands the importance of helping others. Spencer married recently, moved to Illinois and now works for Advocate Health Care so it’s no surprise he’s on top of his own health care, too.
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| Bill Grossi, 56
Tax Attorney, Self Employed
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Lose 25 pounds; win the Lottery; take a tour of wine country by bike and get tested for colon cancer.
Active in the American Cancer Society’s Men’s Health Task Force in Palatine, Bill Grossi knows how a cancer diagnosis changes life. A skin cancer survivor, Bill provides peer-to-peer support to newly diagnosed cancer patients through the Society’s new Support for Recovery program. A single dad, Bill plays an active role in his son’s life, too.
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| Don DeWitte, 56
Mayor, City of St. Charles
St. Charles, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Start thinking about retirement; get back to the gym on a regular basis; visit the Grand Canyon and get tested for colon cancer.
Married to wife, Diane, for 22 years and father of two college-age sons, Don DeWitte has been mayor of St. Charles nearly a year. He served three terms as an alderman prior, and enjoys public service. A family history of colon cancer prompted DeWitte to start getting tested in his late 40s. And it saved his life.
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| Thomas Wright, 54
Chief Operating Officer, Delnor-Community Hospital
Geneva, Illinois
Things To Do Now That I'm 50: Exercise enough to sign up for a half marathon; actually eat more fruit rather than saying I will eat more fruit; do an adventure vacation to Yellowstone and Yosemite and get tested for colon cancer.
As a health care executive, Thomas Wright is involved with numerous community and civic organizations. In Wright’s role as Fox Valley Regional Leadership Board Chair for the American Cancer Society, he understands that good colon health is essential.
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