In recent years we've seen a significant increase in younger clients and members of our broader community being diagnosed with bowel cancer. All of whom are fit and healthy with no family history.

Through our work helping Australians plan for their financial future, we've seen firsthand the emotional, physical and financial impact that a serious health diagnosis can have on individuals and families. We've also seen all too often the assumption young people make that critical illness won’t happen to them given they’re young, fit and healthy.

The Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation is doing incredible work to challenge that perception through education, awareness and early detection initiatives. Their mission aligns closely with our own commitment to helping people prepare for life's unexpected challenges and make informed decisions about their future.

I believe there are a lot of similarities in running a good marathon and early detection of bowel cancer.

1. You need to test yourself early (in training / at an early age) to avoid being caught unaware and underprepared when it matters most (on race day / late-stage diagnosis)

2. In marathoning you need to trust your gut. If something feels off, it’s important to take steps early to adjust appropriately, otherwise things can turn pear-shaped later on. This aligns nicely with the Foundation’s “Trust Your Gut” campaign for early detection of bowel cancer.

The prevalence of bowel cancer is becoming too significant to ignore, so it’s our hope that any small contribution Sunshine Financial can make in fundraising and creating awareness will have a positive impact on the lives of others that could potentially be impacted by bowel cancer.