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IndyCar and NASCAR driver John Andretti dies at 56 after cancer battle

John Andretti became an advocate of colonoscopy screenings following his colon cancer diagnosis in January 2017.

INDIANAPOLIS — (WTHR) — IndyCar driver John Andretti has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.

During a routine check up back in January 2017, doctors told Andretti he had Stage 3 colon cancer.

Andretti announced his cancer had returned last year.

Since then, Andretti had become an advocate of colonoscopy screenings. Andretti had helped to spread the word with his hashtag #CheckIt4Andretti.

Andretti Autosport posted a message on twitter Thursday about John's passing, saying in part:

When first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017, John vowed to fight back and use his voice to help spread the word of prevention and early detection. He fought hard and stole back days the disease vowed to take away. He helped countless others undergo proper screening, and in doing so, saved lives.

Immediately after news of his death came out, people began posting about Andretti, their love for him and all he did.

Credit: AP
In this May 19, 2010, file photo, John Andretti watches during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

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