Craig Melvin Heartbreakingly Remembers Late Brother, Lawrence Meadows, Who Lost His Battle to Colon Cancer

In an emotional tribute, Today co-anchor Craig Melvin has shared the heartbreaking news of his brother Lawrence Meadows’ passing. At the age of 43, Lawrence, a husband, father, and community leader, tragically succumbed to a long and grueling battle with colon cancer.

The announcement came on Saturday through a deeply moving Instagram post, where Craig poured his heart out about the loss of his older brother. In his touching words, Craig recalled Lawrence as not only a dedicated husband to his childhood sweetheart, Angela, but also as a loving father to his children, Addie (11) and Lawson (7), and a passionate Baptist minister. Craig described Lawrence as “one of the best human beings you would’ve ever known.”

“Colon cancer robbed him and us of so much,” Craig said, as he reflected on the impact of the disease. Lawrence, who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at just 39 years old in 2016, had spent years fighting the illness while also raising awareness and encouraging others to take the disease seriously. He underwent a range of treatments, including chemotherapy, and became an advocate for screening, especially in African American communities, where the rates of early-onset colon cancer are higher.

The loss of Lawrence comes as a painful reminder of the relentless nature of the disease, which remains the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. Craig previously shared his brother’s courageous journey on Today, detailing his determination to stay positive and fight for his life despite the overwhelming odds.

In his 2018 interview on Today, Lawrence, a fighter until the end, said, “When people hear ‘cancer,’ they think, ‘Oh gosh, I’ve done everything I want to do, let me just go ahead and succumb to this.’ But no, there’s not a part of me that says throw in the towel. That’s not in my DNA.”

Throughout his battle, Lawrence also spoke publicly about his experiences at health fairs and conferences, urging others to get screened for colon cancer and stressing the importance of knowing your family history. Craig shared that it wasn’t until Lawrence’s diagnosis that their family realized they had a history of colon cancer, which made his brother’s fight even more personal.

As Craig and his family continue to grieve this devastating loss, they are determined to keep Lawrence’s legacy alive. In his tribute, Craig promised to carry on the fight for colon cancer awareness, just as his brother had. “We’ll be keeping up that fight. We love you, bro,” Craig wrote in his heartfelt message.

In honor of Lawrence, the family has asked that any donations be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, an organization dedicated to funding research and providing support for those affected by the disease.

The passing of Lawrence Meadows is a painful reminder of the importance of regular screenings and early detection, as well as the lasting impact of cancer on families. Craig’s touching remembrance honors his brother’s memory, while his family’s commitment to awareness serves as a call to action for others to take their health seriously.

As the Melvin family mourns, they find comfort in knowing that Lawrence’s fight continues to inspire others to act and speak out about the devastating effects of colon cancer. His life, though cut tragically short, leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, strength, and the relentless fight for a cure.