Supporters in action
Alison turned 50 this year and to celebrate she has set herself the challenge of running 50 kilometres solo at the Surf Coast Century Ultramarathon in Victoria to raise money for Bowel Cancer Australia.
“I lost my Dad to bowel cancer in 2004 aged 66, we were living in the UK at the time but ironically when we were told the news we were on a long holiday travelling around Australia.”
Ian Thatcher brings extensive professional experience as a global financial advisor to his role as a Director on the Bowel Cancer Research Foundation Australia Board.
A passionate believer in team-based pioneering to deliver breakthroughs, Ian found himself attracted to the charity’s commitment to leading-edge bowel cancer discoveries that have an everlasting impact on Australian health.
As co-founder and executive chairman of one of Australia’s largest consumer magazine publishing businesses, David Gardiner has turned unknown brands into household names.
But bowel cancer doesn’t discriminate, and despite his personal success, David was diagnosed with Australia’s second deadliest cancer at age 51.
Troy is a frequent ultramarathon runner, but this year he chose to run for a cause close to his heart.
“When I’ve run ultramarathons in the past my family and friends have asked why and what was I raising money for – I was doing it as a personal challenge. But this year I decided to use this event as a fundraiser for Bowel Cancer Australia, in honour of my brother Jason.”
Inspired by the commitment of patron Richard Penn to improving outcomes for people affected by bowel cancer, Gavin Fox-Smith joined Bowel Cancer Australia’s board in 2004.
“I’ve always believed in the mission,” said Gavin.
When Director Richard Griffin AM was in preparatory school, he was given some medical advice by the Matron: ‘Listen to your body and act on it.’
“She drilled into us that it was not “sissy” or “weak” to talk about one’s concerns with medical professionals,” says Richard.
That advice probably saved Richard’s life.
Sara and her family were all surprised when her stepfather, Rob Bosch, was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Rob was fit and healthy, but by the time the cancer was discovered it had already metastasised and was invading other parts of his body. He died at the young age of 50.
Following her diagnosis with bowel cancer in 2018, Christina wanted to use her love for creating quilts and patchwork to raise awareness and support Bowel Cancer Australia.
Helping to raise much-needed funds and awareness, Christina and her sister Berni held a quilt retrospective ‘Christina's Creations and Colon'.
Former Liberal MP Donna Hope (Bauer) thrived in the cut and thrust of local and then state politics, however a personal health challenge has provided new direction for her campaigning skills.
She has taken up the role of a Bowel Cancer Australia Ambassador after her own experience of bowel cancer last year highlighted the important ongoing work required to raise community awareness about this largely preventable and treatable disease.
In what has become an annual event in loving memory of her brother Kenneth, Margaret has taken part in the Bowral Classic cycle since the inaugural event took place in October 2016, and has supported Bowel Cancer Australia on each occasion.
Helping to raise awareness about the importance of early detection for this largely treatable and beatable disease.
One of the Grande dames of theatre, film and television Miriam Margolyes has taken on yet another challenging role as an Ambassador for Bowel Cancer Australia.
The British-born actress, who became an Australian citizen last year, continues to enjoy a varied and celebrated career since her first adventures in repertory theatre some 50 years ago.
Bowel Cancer Australia is incredibly lucky to have the ongoing support of Australian-owned beauty company, VIXIN.
“Supporting Bowel Cancer Australia and Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an absolute must, but also an honour for my family and VIXIN,” says CEO and Founder Charmaine Maree Fay.
Respected Accredited Sports Dietitian, presenter, educator and author Julie Meek, has been passionate about raising bowel cancer awareness ever since her father was diagnosed with the disease.
A familiar face to many as the long-standing national medical reporter for ABC, Sophie Scott understands a lot about staying healthy.
Her health reporting is broadcast regularly on ABC TV news and current affairs programs, on radio and online.
Celebrity chef George Calombaris is getting out of the kitchen to take on Australia's second deadliest cancer, working together with Bowel Cancer Australia as an Ambassador.
Combining his culinary expertise and personal experience to highlight how healthy eating, lifestyle and awareness of family history can greatly reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.
The Dalby Devils under 16’s rugby team took to the field in their red and green Bowel Cancer Australia branded jerseys during their cancer round to proudly show their support of the charity during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June.
It was a packed house at Eastbanks in Shepparton for the 2019 Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, proudly supporting Bowel Cancer Australia and the charity’s Bowel Care Nurse Program.
Holbrook and District Fundraisers arranged a very creative community fun day in support of a variety of health charities including Bowel Cancer Australia, ‘Don’t Drop The Ball On Health’.
Cheran takes part in the Bridge to Brisbane every year, but she wanted to do something a bit differently for her latest marathon. Choosing to run for a cause this year, and what better charity than Bowel Cancer Australia.
Mt Gravatt Australian Football Club host a Ferg Reid Medal Day each year in memory of Ferg, a young player at the club who sadly passed away due to bowel cancer.
To honour Ferg and help raise awareness that you’re never too young to have bowel cancer, a Ferg Reid Medal is awarded to a player as part of the annual match.
When Fiona decided to run the City2Surf for the first time she asked her brothers, Christopher and Stephen, and nephews, Timothy and Ben to join her.
Aptly named “Bums on the run’ the family team signed up to take on the 14km fun run that incorporates ‘heartbreak hill’, all to raise awareness around bowel cancer and funds for Bowel Cancer Australia.
St Andrews Toowoomba Hospital central ward perform a lot of colorectal surgery, deciding they would like to celebrate what they do and raise much needed awareness for bowel cancer through a variety of fundraising activities during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Lawrence Penn Chair Professor Mark Molloy and his team at the Kolling Institute hosted a Red Apple Day morning tea to raise awareness of bowel cancer during June.
Double Bay Day Hospital participated in raising funds for Bowel Cancer Australia and awareness of the widespread nature of bowel cancer in our society for the charity’s annual Red Apple Day.
Bowel Cancer Australia was excited to partner with charity challenge organisation Inspired Adventures to create a Bowel Cancer Australia team for the inaugural Hike for Health Great Wall of China trek in May 2019.
Long-time supporter Hollie hosted her much-looked-forward to ‘Back to Stool’ trivia night.
This year’s event celebrated the memory of her friend, and fellow bowel cancer Awareness Advocate, Gemma who passed away from bowel cancer in 2018 at the age of 29.
Tasmania-based jewellery brand Francesca dedicated their June Awareness Bracelet to Bowel Cancer Australia to help raise funds and awareness during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Pentana Solutions hosted a morning tea during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to help raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and funds for Bowel Cancer Australia.
Inspired by the diagnosis of her best friend’s father with young-onset bowel cancer, Charlotte decided that she’d like to help make a difference and raise funds to support others like him.
Irrewarra-Beeac Football Netball Club’s desire to put bowel cancer in the spotlight gave one of the Bombers’ own a platform to share her story in a bid to help others this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
With her Pa having been diagnosed with bowel cancer, Evie decided she wanted to fundraise for Bowel Cancer Australia to help the charity support the growing number of Australians affected by the disease.
Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017, Julie started hosting charity events in support of Bowel Cancer Australia after being told she was in remission.
"Our great friend Marcus always brought out the best in everyone. His encouragement, support and belief in people made everyone be the best they could be. He was a much loved father, husband, teacher, friend and personal trainer.
Inspired by friends who were training for a marathon and wanting to fulfil a long-held ambition, Jess and her husband Dean signed up for the Sydney Blackmores Half Marathon in support of Bowel Cancer Australia.
“We are a stone cast upon the water to try to create many ripples.”
After tragedy struck close to home for 11year old Tina (name changed on request), she decided to raise funds for a cause that meant a lot to her and her family – Bowel Cancer Australia.
