Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
A hair–raising fundraiser held during the month of December, Decembeard Australia encourages men to grow or challenge their beard in the final month of the year to raise awareness and much needed funds for Bowel Cancer Australia.
Beards aren’t just for hipsters, grandpas, men that ride motorbikes or people that are too lazy to shave. Anyone can participate and help make real change happen.
Launched in 2013 as a quirky way to draw attention to Australia’s second deadliest cancer and start a conversation about a topic that can sometimes be difficult to discuss.
Our passionate community of supporters have been embracing their facial hair to help create real change ever since.
Using Decembeard Australia as an opportunity to encourage their fathers, brothers, husbands, partners, family members and friends to find out about bowel cancer and grow a beard to raise awareness and funds for Bowel Cancer Australia.
Every beard, big or small, makes a statement.
All you need to do is grow a beard or some chin stubble and promote your facial hair to raise awareness and funds this Decembeard.
Sign up to grow a beard
Already have a beard? Hold on to your cheek curls and check out these Decembeard challenges for some chinspiration!
Sign up to challenge your beard
People living with or beyond bowel cancer and their loved ones share their empowering lived experiences throughout Decembeard.
Would you like to share your bowel cancer story to help raise awareness?
We want to hear from you.
Sharing your lived-experience can encourage and inspire others and can be a valuable resource for other patients and loved ones.
Click here to share your story.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s hair-raising campaign encouraging you to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and funds to create real change.
Get everyone on the beardwagon!
Speak with your workplace or local club about including a Decembeard theme as part of this year’s end-of-year celebration, raffle a festive hamper or collect gold coin donations at your Christmas Party.
Even with a simple donation from each of your colleagues or team-mates, you’ll be surprised at how the funds add up!
Please read our fundraising guidelines and submit a fundraising proposal.
Please Note: If you are planning to do online fundraising ONLY, there’s no need to complete the a proposal, simply sign up online and you’re good to go!
Personal stories are the most powerful of all, so be sure to send us your bowel cancer story to help raise awareness.
Whether you are living with bowel cancer, beyond bowel cancer or are supporting someone who is, we want to hear from you!
Post your fundraiser details on your social media pages. Remember to include the campaign hash tags #DecembeardAU #BowelCancerAustralia to tag @BowelCancerAustralia into all your posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X and Threads so that we can share.
Make a poster or flyer about your fundraising and distribute them around your workplace or local community (be sure to receive the appropriate charity/company/council approvals first).
Poster templates are available for download from Bowel Cancer Australia’s online shop.
Contact your local newspaper to see if they will feature your story and fundraising efforts in the next edition.
Ask your HR department if they can put a posting about your fundraising on the company intranet or in the company newsletter.
Investigate if your employer matches charity donations (many large and/or community conscious organisations do).
Hold a Decembeard themed End-of-Year Function or Christmas party at your workplace – to help we’ve created a Christmas Party Poster that you can download from the fundraising resources webpage.
Share your progress photos on your fundraising page to let everyone know how your face fur is growing.
Giving updates on your fundraising page will allow you to keep your donors informed on how your fundraising efforts are going.
Hold a ‘Shave the date’ event to celebrate your fundraising effort.
It is also an opportunity to get some last-minute donations from family and friends who may not have already supported your fundraising efforts.
If you have a larger overall target – break your fundraising down into achievable bite-sized chunks.
For example: sponsorship from friends and family – $450; beard themed Trivia Night with your buddies – $150; Gold coin donations at your work Christmas Party – $200; Company Match Giving – $200; $1000 reached!
Be sure to thank all your donors and sponsors, tell them why their support is so important and how their donation will help.