June 8, 2020
We’re proud to be a beneficiary of Dry July NZ this year and we’ve got exciting news… Sign up for Dry July 2020 is now open!
By signing up and raising funds you’ll help us improve the comfort, care and wellbeing of New Zealander’s affected by bowel cancer, people like Katherine.
Katherine (Kat) was one of the many Kiwis considered ‘too young’ to have bowel cancer – she was diagnosed at age 34. “My only initial symptom was fatigue. I had two kids at the time, so I saw my GP, who said my iron levels were really low, and prescribed iron tablets.”
“I’ve had a lot of support along the way, particularly from Bowel Cancer NZ, she says. “Mary (at Bowel Cancer NZ) provided me with one-to-one support and explained all that they do to help people get through this horrible diagnosis. It’s quite hard at first, people didn’t want to talk about it, but I did.”
Mary recommended Kat join Bowel Cancer NZ’s support group for patients and their families through Facebook. “It really helped me to get feedback, support and advice from others who’d been there and done that… Most of all, you learn you’re not the only one going through this,” she says.
“At times, you can feel very alone and very isolated, but Bowel Cancer NZ really reaches out to help you.”
You can read Kat’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/kats-story