More Than Needle and Thread
Although Valvo had always shown artistic inclinations, his anesthesiologist father and nurse mother had groomed him for a medical career, specifically as a plastic surgeon. "We were all supposed to be doctors," says Valvo of himself and his five siblings. None pursued that path. "I was squeamish, so I used a needle and thread in a different manner: to make women look beautiful."

Ironically, it was in the face of a medical crisis that he chose his career; he decided to become a designer in 1975 while bedridden in the hospital after a car accident.

"As both a fashion designer and a colon cancer survivor, Carmen has a unique perspective on a subject that's considered not very glamorous. His insistence on being screened for colon cancer is part of the reason he's still alive today."—Katie Couric, News anchor/colon cancer awareness advocate

He then enrolled at the Parsons School for Design in New York City, where he met his long-time domestic and business partner, Christian Knaust. The former menswear designer recalls what first struck him about Valvo: among other things, it was "his perseverance to get what he wants. Nothing can stop him."

After working with Nina Ricci and Christian Dior and freelancing throughout Europe, Valvo found his niche creating eveningwear. "Clothes should be feminine and sexy and classic. I use fashion as part of an expression of who I am," he says, then reveals a little more. "I love lace. I attribute that to my genetics, my Latin side."

Something else was lurking in his genes, but he didn't find out until 2003, when he began feeling not quite right. After a few months of chalking it up to stress, he went to the doctor. Despite getting a clean bill of health, he insisted on a second opinion.

A colonoscopy—performed prior to the recommended age of 50—showed advanced cancer. Within days, he underwent surgery to remove part of the colon. "You need to listen to yourself. If I hadn't listened to myself, I probably wouldn't be here," he says. If you're uncomfortable with your doctor or think they aren't listening, seek another opinion, urges Valvo. "Be your own advocate."

That point is especially important for Hispanics: only 37 percent underwent a colorectal screening within the recommended time frame—every 10 years for healthy adults over 50—compared with 57 percent of white non-Hispanics, according to a 2008 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In addition, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic men and the third leading cause among Latinas.

Dr. Elmer Huerta, president of the American Cancer Society, can't stress enough the importance of early screening. "Few people in this country are talking about colorectal cancer—Latinos included," he says. "Cancer has long been a taboo issue in Hispanic countries, where talking about cancer is like talking about a death sentence."

Valvo didn't tell family, friends, and coworkers about the diagnosis and surgery. "When I took this journey, I went through it alone and wanted to keep it to myself," he recalls. It wasn't until he told his sister that he learned of two familial cases of colon cancer. Because his family is genetically predisposed to the disease, he insisted they all be screened. And though he didn't share his illness with family early on, he now finds it "mind-boggling that you can have something so important that's not discussed," he says.

A Garden of Delights
As he'd kept the details of his medical journey to himself, he also faced recovery alone. "Part of the healing process wasn't only physical, but also mental," Valvo says, "because you play with life and death like a roller coaster ride, but you don't know what the outcome will be."

For solace, he turned to his garden at his house in the Hamptons, New York. "When I have a problem, I like to weed," he says, "weed the problem out of my life." And he discovered that as gardens have texture and rhythm, so does fashion: Valvo's spring 2004 collection, The Garden, was born. Pink and white petals, tiny crystals atop them, became the collection's hallmark.

What could the next 20 years bring Valvo? "I see him still gardening, continuing his work in fundraising and cancer awareness, and active in the fashion industry," says Knaust. "I hope we have a long, healthy, and happy life together."

Chime In: Designer Carmen Marc Valvo turned to his garden for solace after his diagnosis. These Latinos found their strength elsewhere.—Brenda Durán
Rodrigo Nuñez, 48; aplastic anemia survivor.
Los Angeles, California	I turned to my nurses for hope. They were number one for me. When I was waiting for my bone marrow transplant, they were very compassionate. Their friendship not only helped me, but also gave me inspiration to become a nurse and do the same for others.
Hortencia Bárcena, 60; living with colon cancer.
El Paso, Texas	I come from a very Catholic family. We have a very strong religious faith. My faith is one of not giving up. There is always hope, and I have learned that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Trust in God has helped me be stronger than I thought I could be.
María Asenjo, 50; living with brain cancer.
Lynn, Massachusetts	I practice yoga for the spirit and I write poetry. I keep two journals about my own experience with cancer. I want to publish my work one day to help other people. Writing has helped me maintain a positive attitude and a sense of humor. It keeps me going every day.