John Andretti thankful for support in cancer fight

John Andretti hates chemotherapy, but the support he's received from the racing community and kids at Riley Children's Hospital has given him plenty of inspiration in his fight against colon cancer.

"Mario said it's a racing community and it doesn't matter where you are in the community: If somebody in the community is struggling they gather around and fight together," said the 12-time Indy 500 starter and NASCAR veteran who retired in 2010 and was diagnosed with cancer last January.

In the past several weeks Andretti has mounted an awareness campaign for people over 50 to have the screening that might have found John's cancer earlier. And Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway he unveiled a #CHECKIT4ANDRETTI T-shirt.

"The support from family and friends has been amazing and I call it a mini movement and I hope it doesn't go away," the father of three said. "People need to recognize they need to be doing this. I feel guilty about what I've done to my family and putting them through this when it could have been prevented if I'd simply been tested four years ago when I turned 50."

His chemo treatments last three days every other week, and he's looking at surgery in early June to combat the cancer that has spread into his liver.

"I'm actually looking forward to the surgery to get rid of the chemo for a while," he said with a smile.

One of the most popular and likable guys in IndyCar or NASCAR, Andretti has spent the past 20 years raising money for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, and he's been blown away by the reaction of his flock.

"The kids have been reaching out and praying for me or sending me presents, are you kidding?" he said. "I can't complain, I've had a great life and what happened to me happened but what happened to them was unfair. They are just the greatest kids on the planet."

Hear more from Andretti and Robin below.