When you see Craig Melvin on the TODAY show, he’s usually the personification of cool, calm, and collected. He’s got that smooth delivery that makes you feel like everything is going to be okay. But for years, behind that polished TV exterior, Craig was carrying a heavy, quiet burden. It was the kind of weight that doesn't just go away when the cameras stop rolling.
It was about his brother.
Most people know the broad strokes: Craig lost his older brother, Lawrence Meadows, to colon cancer in 2020. But the details? Those are the parts that actually matter. It wasn’t just a "celebrity tragedy." It was a wake-up call that fundamentally changed how Craig sees his platform, his health, and basically his entire future.
Who Was Lawrence Meadows?
Honestly, Lawrence wasn't just "Craig Melvin's brother." He was a force in his own right down in South Carolina. He was a Baptist minister, a father of two, and a business owner. He was the kind of guy who didn't drink, didn't smoke, and played college football. You know, the "healthy" one.
Then came the diagnosis in 2016. Lawrence was only 39.
He started losing weight. Doctors initially thought it was an ulcer. Maybe stress? Maybe diet? They went back and forth until a CT scan finally revealed a tumor the size of a tangerine. By the time they found it, the cancer had already metastasized. Stage IV.
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Craig often talks about that moment as a "punch in the gut." It didn't make sense. How does a 39-year-old preacher who lives a clean life get hit with a "senior citizen's disease"?
The Fight and the "Bottoms Up" Mission
Lawrence fought for four years. He went through 28 rounds of chemo in Houston. He did clinical trials at MD Anderson. And while he was fighting, he made Craig promise something. He told his "kid brother" to use his voice.
"Don't let this happen to anyone else," was the vibe.
Craig took that to heart. He didn't just mention it once on air; he turned into a full-blown advocate. He joined the board of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. He and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, started the Bottoms Up Invitational. It’s this huge golf and music event in Connecticut that has raised over $4.4 million as of late 2025.
It’s not just a fancy gala. It’s a room full of survivors, caregivers, and doctors. Last year, Craig’s niece and nephew—Lawrence’s kids—attended and thanked him for keeping their dad’s memory alive. You could tell it gutted him, in a good way.
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Why This Matters for You (Yeah, You)
If you think you're too young for a colonoscopy, you might want to rethink that.
Lawrence was 39. The guidelines used to say start at 50. Then they moved to 45. Craig’s younger brother, Ryan, actually went on the TODAY show and got a colonoscopy on camera to prove it’s not that big of a deal.
Here is the reality:
- Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.
- It is nearly 90% preventable if caught early through screening.
- Black Americans are disproportionately affected, often diagnosed at later stages.
Craig is pretty blunt about the procedure itself. He jokes about the "propofol experience"—that sweet, sweet medical nap you get during the scope. He says the prep is the worst part, and even that is getting better these days. He’s had two colonoscopies himself since Lawrence died. He’s not just talking the talk.
The Family Legacy and Ryan Melvin
While Lawrence's story is the most public, the Melvin family bond is tight. His younger brother, Ryan, has been right there in the trenches of advocacy too. Ryan actually struggled with his own health journey, losing about 65 pounds recently and becoming a runner.
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The brothers are basically on a mission to change the narrative. They want to talk about the stuff people usually find embarrassing. Bowel movements. Polyps. Rectal bleeding.
"We need to do better," Ryan said after his on-camera procedure. It’s a simple sentiment, but when you’ve watched your older brother waste away from a disease that could have been stopped, it carries a lot of weight.
Actionable Steps: What to Do Today
Don't just read this and move on. If you’re over 45, or if you have a family history of any kind of cancer, you need to be proactive.
- Check Your History: Did an aunt, uncle, or grandparent have "stomach issues" that were never explained? Ask your parents. Now.
- Talk to Your Doc: Don't wait for symptoms. By the time you see blood or lose weight, it might be late-stage. Ask for a screening at your next physical.
- Know the Alternatives: If you’re terrified of a colonoscopy, ask about Cologuard or other stool-based tests. They aren't the "gold standard" like a scope, but they are a hell of a lot better than doing nothing.
- Listen to Your Body: If you have a lingering cough, a change in habits, or weird pains—don't "tough it out." That’s what Lawrence did at first.
Craig Melvin's brother didn't get to see his kids grow up, but his story is literally saving thousands of other people. The best way to honor that legacy isn't to feel sorry for the Melvin family—it's to go get checked.
Check out the Colorectal Cancer Alliance if you need help finding a screening center or if the cost is a barrier. There are resources out there. Use them.