Emily T, Dry July

“I’m taking part in Dry July for my 8th year in memory of my twin sister, Christina, who we miss more and more each day. Christina passed away in 2019, with Stage 4 bowel cancer a few months after we turned 30 years old.

Christina was just like you and me, healthy, fun going, energetic and one of the hardest workers you would ever meet. No real symptoms or cause for concern. You don’t expect to hear the words ‘you have cancer’ at the age of 29.

Sadly, Christina passed away a mere 14 months after diagnosis. I will always cherish our 30th birthday we got to enjoy as our last birthday together and that I was there by her side throughout this tough journey, until her last breathe.

My WHO is obvious. But my WHY is very important.

I take this opportunity to raise much needed awareness for bowel cancer, and the rise of young deaths caused by this disease.

Bowel cancer in the deadliest cancer and seventh underlying cause of death overall for Australians aged 25-44. But it is one of the least spoken about cancers amongst others, because it involved ‘uncomfortable conversations’.

Let’s break the stigma and promote awareness. If caught early, it’s one of the most treatable cancers.” ~ Emily

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