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Micah Lio – A perpetual optimist and positive force

Micah Lio/LinkedIn

Mar 7, 2025, 12:17

Micah Lio – A perpetual optimist and positive force

Seong Chi, Associate Director, Scientific Advocacy and Professional Societies at AbbVie, posted on LinkedIn:

“This is not an announcement. It is a story for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in honor of the memory of my friend, Micah Lio.

One that took me some time to write down and share. Months in fact. In a full circle moment, I returned to the organization where I started my pharma/biotech career, AbbVie (via Allergan), as part of their medical affairs, scientific advocacy team. It was bittersweet that my dear friend, Micah, was not here to see me return to the organization where he became one of my closest friends. In an unbelievable twist of fate and unbeknownst to me until later in the day, he passed away within a couple hours of me signing my offer letter to return.

It was not completely unexpected, but it was sudden. It was the end of a long, hard-fought battle that Micah had against colorectal cancer.

The picture of Micah with me in the background was taken March 9, 2021 during the peak of the pandemic. It was a Tuesday. His first colonoscopy was the next day, Wednesday, and on Saturday he moved from Baltimore to Cleveland so he and his girlfriend could be closer to her family, making a deeper commitment. Months before his 30th birthday. He had gone out of his way to come to my house to hang out, talk about the procedure, talk about future plans and exchange unsaid goodbyes.

Fast-forward 3 years and some odd months and again, he went out of his way to come to my house to hang out (this time with his now wife and my family of 4), celebrate his birthday, talk about his procedures, talk about future plans and exchange unsaid goodbyes.

A few months later and before I could see him again, he was gone.

Months before he got his colonoscopy and even months before the pandemic, Micah and I discussed CRC screening and colonoscopies. Even in heated discussions where I pushed the need for him to go get a scope, I didn’t really believe that he could have cancer. Not in his 20s. But with my background and experience with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the symptoms made a scope the clear choice, but his age biased away any real concerns. I kept pushing him to get a colonoscopy anyway for peace of mind more than anything else. The results ended up being devastating.

During the time between his colonoscopy and getting his biopsy results, he moved from Maryland to Ohio. From a distance, I introduced him to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. With their national network of thought leaders, experts and patient navigators, Micah was able to get recommendations for providers and support as he wanted/needed. Even as his condition deteriorated, he never complained.

A perpetual optimist and positive force. Eventually, he shared his story on the CCA platforms, so that he could raise awareness and help others, especially those diagnosed as young as he was. He and Marissa created teams for the CCA fundraiser walks, like the Cleveland Walk to End Colon Cancer.”

Micah Lio - A perpetual optimist and positive force