Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017, Julie started hosting charity events in support of Bowel Cancer Australia after being told she was in remission.
“I was diagnosed with bowel cancer January 2017 and had part of my bowel removed the following month. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread outside the colon, therefore needing chemo, and I finished treatment in September 2017.”
Being a keen golfer, Julie decided to host a Ladies Golf Day and regular charity days at her local golf club.
To date, the passionate fundraiser has hosted seven events at The Glades golf course where she lives, raising over $8,500 for Bowel Cancer Australia.”
“My first event was a luncheon that my daughter, Bree Nicholls, organised to celebrate my remission. My friends donated a wonderful array of raffle prizes and we raised $2,500 on the day for Bowel Cancer Australia.”
“With most of my friend being golfers, I thought it was a great opportunity to not only regularly hold a fun golfing day with a luncheon and raffle prizes, but to raise money for Bowel Cancer Australia.”
“The golfing events are always a huge success and the girls are very supportive.”
“I had such a scare when the ‘cancer’ word was mentioned my body went into shock and shook violently all over for several minutes. You always think this will happen to someone else ‘not me’!”
“After my surgery to remove 30cm of bowel and 13 lymph nodes, I was told this it was an aggressive cancer and gone to the other side of the colon therefore needing chemotherapy. One more shock!”
“My Folfox 6 chemo experience was not good. I had a lot of nausea, my throat went into anaphoretic shock each time a had a mouthful of food for about four days after each treatment, I couldn’t touch anything cold with my hands and feet as I would receive what I call, an electric shock. I had ‘hand and foot syndrome’ (redness, tenderness, pain, numbness and sensory impairment) for over a year after.”
“My bowel cancer diagnosis was a life changing event and I tried to think of how I could help people by raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for this terrible disease.”
“My bowel surgeon later told me that if I had left my colonoscopy one month later, he would have given me 12 months to live. Another shock!”
“I always give a little speech about bowel cancer and try to remind people to have their colonoscopies and regular check-ups, and how it is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia.”
“Over the chemo treatments, I had wonderful support from my friends and can’t thank them enough for that.”
Red Apple Day 2019: How You Can Get Involved
A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia this Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 19 June 2019), through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.
Here's five fantastic ways you can help raise much needed awareness and funds to help beat bowel cancer this Red Apple Day:
1. Order (or download) free awareness posters and flyers to distribute at your workplace, community centre, social or sporting group.
2. Register to sell Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbons to family, friends and local community members.
3. Host a Red Apple Day fundraiser or awareness activity.
4. Connect with Bowel Cancer Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and spread the word by sharing, re-posting and tweeting.
5. Donate today to help save lives and to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with bowel cancer. Every donation over $2 is fully tax-deductible.
For more information and to get involved this Red Apple Day click here.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and Red Apple Day are initiatives of Bowel Cancer Australia.
