BY KAREN BOSSICK
A young female cattle rancher will describe her experience dealing with colorectal cancer during the Killebrew Thompson Memorial cancer research fundraising event in August.
Madeline “Maddee” Moore, a 35-year-old cattle rancher from La Grande, Ore., will describe her journey with cancer at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Continental Room of the Sun Valley inn.
The talk, “Cancer in Focus: An Inspiring Conversation on Colorectal Cancer, Prevention, and the Future of Care,” is free and open to the public.
Moore spent five years searching for answers to unexplained pain, fatigue, and anemia. Her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed until a colonoscopy in early 2023 revealed an 8.5 cm tumor. She was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer.
She underwent surgery at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute in Boise, where doctors removed a foot of her colon, 40 lymph nodes, and a tumor the size of a Nerf ball. Her oncologist, Dr. Dan Zuckerman, played a pivotal role in guiding her through the next steps.
Moore chose observation over chemotherapy—a decision influenced by her desire to start a family. In spring 2025, she and her husband, Nick, welcomed their first child.
Her journey also led to a critical genetic discovery: She carries Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of several cancers. Her diagnosis prompted seven family members to get tested—potentially saving lives through early intervention.
Now two years cancer-free, Maddee is using her voice to raise awareness and support for cancer research. She has participated in multiple clinical studies and encourages others to support research however they can.
“Research dollars do make a difference,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of something that could help my family, my community, and others facing this disease.”
“Maddee’s case is a powerful example of how personalized care and research-driven decision-making can change lives,” said Dr. Dan Zuckerman, Medical Director at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. “For patients like Maddee, clinical trials have shown that observation may be just as effective as chemotherapy, without the long-term side effects.”
Joining Moore on this year’s panel:
Dr. Anne Blaes, Professor of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Minnesota and Director of the SPECS Program at the Masonic Cancer Center. A national leader in cancer survivorship and cardio-oncology, Dr. Blaes focuses on preventing long-term complications of cancer treatment and improving quality of life for survivors.
Mike Neeson, a 17-year survivor of stage IV colon cancer. Diagnosed at age 45 after symptoms were initially misattributed to lactose intolerance, Mike underwent extensive treatment including surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Today, he lives with lasting effects of treatment but remains active and deeply committed to advocacy.
Dr. Dan Zuckerman, a board-certified hematologist-oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers and Co-Director of Research at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute in Boise. A graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and former fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Zuckerman has led numerous innovations in community-based cancer care, including launching one of the few allogeneic stem cell transplant programs outside of an academic center.
The forum is part of Killebrew-Thompson Memorial’s four-day signature event held each August in Sun Valley. In addition to the public forum, the weekend attracts 350 people from across the country to take part in a two-day golf tournament, a benefit concert, and a live and silent auction gala.
This year’s Concert for a Cure will feature former members of the New Power Generation, who performed with Prince for two decades, singing “The Music of Prince.” It will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the River Run Lodge at Sun Valley Resort.
Tickets start at $15 for children 12 and under, available at https://www.showpass.com/2025-concert-for-a-cure/.
St. Luke's Cancer Institute (SLCI) is the region's largest provider of cancer services and a nationally recognized leader in cancer research. It is also home to Idaho's only cancer treatment center for children, only federally sponsored center for hemophilia, and only blood and marrow transplant program.