Nicole R, Dry July

“My Dry July fundraising for Bowel Cancer Australia is in honour of my dear friend Courtney who I miss every minute of every day, for the two childhood friends who sadly also passed from bowel cancer, as well as in support of a brave friend who was recently diagnosed, and whilst thankfully has an earlier staging which does improve outcomes, like many of the growing number of Australia’s being faced with this news, the impacts are still shattering for her and her young family.

Seeing how this disease can change lives so suddenly, especially for people in their 30s, has made me determined to raise awareness and support early detection, and I am incredibly grateful for all the work that Bowel Cancer Australia does each day to support just that. I want to make Courtney proud by using this opportunity to encourage everyone to listen to their bodies, get checked, and take control of their health – because we all deserve the chance to live a life that is full and healthy.

Last year Dry July we raised close to $7k which was so amazing. Courtney was in palliative care at the time and was so heartened by all the incredible donations rolling in, and despite these dark days, I will fondly reflect on her being my biggest cheerleader in giving up the beer paddles in support of this cause during such a heavy time. I know we can make her proud again this year.

Photos include:  Courtney during treatment, Courtney and I at my brother’s wedding in Fiji in between treatments 2023, Courtney after surgery (we called this her warrior woman shot!), Court and I at Courtney’s first chemo session in 2018 – I only missed a handful over the 5.5 years – I was very lucky to have supportive employers as I wouldn’t have wanted to have been anywhere else, and so grateful for the incredible care and nurses – they felt like family after all that time, and our last outing before she passed, taken at one of her favourite beaches in Mandurah, WA.” ~ Nicole

If you were inspired by Nicole’s fundraising activities and would like to support Bowel Cancer Australia through Dry July, further details are available here.