Young 'Cancer Chats' Host From Bergen County And Hoboken Dies At 29

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Back in May, Woodcliff Lake native Danielle Koppenaal, then 28, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Rather than spend all of her time fighting, she also raised awareness about screenings and about living with cancer.

Koppenaal, who hosted a podcast called "Cancer Chats" with her former Hoboken roommate, passed away last Wednesday.

"Danni," posted a friend last week, "you were one of the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. You were the bravest person I have ever known. The way you chose to fight your cancer was beyond inspiring, to use your diagnosis and voice to spread awareness about ALL cancers in young people."

During her time in college at Syracuse University, Koppenaal was diagnosed with both colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

She got regular treatment and screenings all through her twenties, but lagged in screenings and in-person appointments during the COVID pandemic, a time when government leaders may have delayed the response by giving mixed messages about the seriousness of the virus.

Since her cancer diagnosis nearly a year ago, Koppenaal began to spread the word — especially since, according to the National Cancer Institute, colon cancer diagnoses have increased in young people.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that people begin screening for colorectal cancer at 45, and the number of people dying from the cancer has declined dramatically since decades ago.

Danielle and her best friend Bevin O'Brien, who were roommates in Hoboken after college, decided to find a silver lining in her diagnosis. The pair started their weekly podcast, Cancer Chats, last July, and also raised funds for cancer research.

In addition to the podcast, Koppenaal launched merchandise, with all proceeds going to cancer research charity, The V Foundation (see links at end).

"You have changed so many lives not only from knowing you personally but through Cancer Chats," wrote her friend on the podcast's social media.

"Through this podcast you inspired many listeners to get early detection screenings, you became a support and inspiration to many people fighting cancer. I will always remember the Good, the bad, and especially the funny. You were an excellent daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend; you were an inspiration to us all! You are and will always remain in my heart. I love you; until we meet again Danni Girl. #cancerchats."

Services will be held this Friday and Saturday at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home. Koppenaal's obituary will be here.

Be Aware

The National Cancer Institute says that after a recent study was done on more than 5,000 people diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer before age 50, many of them had these warning signs:

• abdominal pain
• rectal bleeding
• diarrhea
• iron deficiency anemia

Having one of the signs was associated with nearly twice the likelihood of being diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, the institute said, so it's worth asking a doctor if you have any related symptoms. Read more here.

Follow Cancer Chats on Instagram here.

Listeners can access the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify here:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cancer-chats/id1698847424
• https://open.spotify.com/show/1C7t4g7O1G16V0Fbr6xC9G?si=ef18313f01c748e7