Former Lubbock City Councilman Enters Hospice Care After Lifelong Battle with Lynch Syndrome Cancers

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Randy Christian, a former Lubbock city councilman, has entered hospice care after decades of battling multiple cancers linked to Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of developing several types of cancer. Christian, who has been married to his wife Margaret for 45 years, said he and Margaret made the decision together to stop cancer therapies and focus on managing his pain at home.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges faced by individuals with Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that puts them at high risk for various cancers. Christian's lifelong battle with the disease and his advocacy work to raise awareness about it underscore the importance of genetic testing and early cancer screening for those with a family history of the syndrome.

The details

Christian first noticed signs of cancer when he was 8 years old, and he later learned the cause was Lynch syndrome, which runs deep in his family. He has survived cancer three times, including having his colon removed in his 30s. Christian was diagnosed with cancer just before being sworn in as a Lubbock city councilman in 2018, and he went on to advocate in Austin for Lynch syndrome awareness. He is now fighting stomach and esophageal cancers, and he and his wife Margaret have chosen to receive hospice care at home.

• Christian was first diagnosed with cancer at age 8.
• He had his colon removed due to cancer in his 30s, when his son Peter was 3 and his son Philip was a newborn.
• Christian was diagnosed with cancer just before being sworn in as a Lubbock city councilman in 2018.
• He is currently fighting stomach and esophageal cancers.

What they’re saying