A Sunshine Coast man’s hospital visit for suspected bronchitis has uncovered an aggressive and advanced bowel cancer diagnosis.
The devastating news has prompted his friends to rally around Cameron Graham, launching a fundraiser to help support him and his family through the difficult months ahead.
His friend Samantha Dunne, from Maroochydore, organised a GoFundMe fundraiser, which has already reached more than $7000 towards a $50,000 goal.
“Our amazingly funny, charismatic, life-of-the-party friend Cam needs our help,” Samantha says. “What started out as a hospital visit with bronchitis only one week ago, quickly escalated after doctors discovered the unimaginable … cancer.”
Samantha says Cameron’s sudden diagnosis has been difficult for friends and family to process, while he is also facing financial pressure as he is unable to work.
“We are all still coming to terms with this sudden news and are reaching out for help,” she says.
“As he battles this devastating illness, he is unable to work and the financial pressures continue to grow.
“We are hoping to raise funds to help cover medical expenses, mortgage repayments, household bills and other essential costs, which will allow Cam and his family to focus on spending precious time together, rather than worrying about finances.”
The fundraiser comes as researchers on the Coast work to better understand the growing number of younger Australians being diagnosed with
bowel cancer.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is establishing what is believed to be the first human tissue biobank of its kind in Australia as part of a $2.5million research project.
The biobank will store living tissue donated by Coast patients under the age of 50 who are diagnosed with bowel cancer.
UniSC cancer biologist Dr Lochlan Fennell, who will develop the biobank at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute, says researchers are investigating why the disease is occurring earlier and how it can be better prevented and treated.
“Over the past two decades, there has been a 200 per cent jump in the incidence of early-onset bowel cancer in Australia and we are working to identify the causes behind this trend,” Dr Fennell says.
“We hope that analysing the tissue stored in the biobank will help us better understand how risk factors have changed over time, as well as how the disease develops and progresses.”
Researchers will also grow miniature, 3D models of cancer tumours in the laboratory to test possible new treatments.
More than 1800 Australians under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, making it the country’s deadliest cancer among people aged 25 to 54.
The three-year research project is jointly funded by Cancer Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council.
To donate to Cam’s fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/we-need-you-lets-help-support-cam
