Annabel Crabb Instagram – This is Lachlan Kean, who died a year ago aged 37 of bowel cancer… one of the growing cohort of young fit people diagnosed with a disease we tend to think of as something that happens to older people. Lachlan’s symptoms – constipation, abdominal pain, blood in the stool – weren’t recognised as problematic because of his age and good health.
Did you know that as of July this year, if you’re 45 you can request a free bowel screening kit? Just call 1800627701. And you can get one via your GP even younger. Most importantly – don’t ignore the warning signs. 90 per cent of bowel cancers are curable if picked up early enough.
Tonight I was lucky enough to meet Lachlan’s beautiful family as they and his friends and many generous supporters gathered at @ivysydney for the @lachlankeanfoundation to raise money – massively needed – for research and trials directed precisely at this new young cohort of bowel cancer patients. Swipe for the giant cheque presentation!
A lot of people have contributed generously. Give this crowd @lachlankeanfoundation a follow.
But the most important thing, as Lachlan and my late sister in law Anisa and every single person sideswiped by this monster way too early would no doubt say:
Don’t ignore warning signs, don’t feel embarrassed, don’t think “I’m too young”…. Just get it checked out. Doesn’t take a minute.
Congratulations to Lachlan’s community for pulling this together. Thanks to Dr Meg Barnet of the @garvaninstitute for adding research heft to the evening. And @karlstefanovic_ for donating his considerable auctioneering skills even though he’s a man of few free evenings.
This disease is changing. Let’s not be caught napping xxx | Posted on 21/Sep/2024 18:14:03
