Tony Snow's Inspiring Fight Against Colon Cancer

I spent hours this past Saturday night watching Fox Network TV coverage of the death of Tony Snow.

Politicians, media figures, even rock stars like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull told stories of their friendship and respect for Tony Snow. They admired him not only as a media figure, but also for his dedication as a father of three and husband.

I first became a fan of Tony Snow when he was fill-in host on conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Snow would later have his own radio show. Then he became press secretary for President Bush.

Snow was one of those people you couldn't help but like.

He had good looks and a warm smile.

He got his political message across in a non-offensive way.

He and I had more in common than broadcasting. We both played in rock bands.

Snow played flute, guitar and saxophone in a group called "Beats Workin'." Great name for a band.

The video I saw Saturday night certainly showed how much he enjoyed performing music.

I know the feeling.

Tony Snow's early exit from this world at age 53 was due to colon cancer. The disease had claimed his mother's life at 38. He had fought his disease valiantly.

He lost his thick head of hair in the battle, but never his smile.

The most touching scene I watched Saturday night was video of his final day as White House press secretary. As he exited the building for the last time, hundreds of people were lined up along walkways and on stairs, giving him hugs, handshakes and deafening applause.

For that moment, despite his disease, Tony Snow must've felt on top of the world.

I thought to myself how wonderful it must be for people to love you so much and support you so greatly.

When we leave this world and find ourselves before our Creator, we won’t be judged by how many exclusive interviews we got, or how many tough questions we yelled to a politician, or how big our ratings were.

We will be judged by how we treated other people. How much we cared. How much we gave. How much we helped.

By talking so publicly about his ordeal with colon cancer, I believe Tony Snow helped a lot of people.

He helped me.

Today I had my annual physical, and at my request, my doctor arranged for me to have a consultation later this month in preparation for a colonoscopy. My first.

I have no family history of colon cancer.

But I hope to live a long and healthy life. To do that, I must take as much responsibility as I can for my own health and do all I can to prevent disease or at least catch it early.

Am I looking forward to a colonoscopy? Heavens, no.

Am I looking forward to living longer and experiencing more of the joy and fullness of this life? Oh yes. As many years as God deems me worthy of.

If you're over 50 or have a family history of the disease, talk with your doctor about colon cancer and see if you should be examined.

It's exactly what Tony Snow would want each of us to do.