40-year old mother of two, Hope, was a fit and healthy woman when she found out she had Bowel Cancer. Initially, doctors had said Hope was “too healthy” and “too young” when she first noticed the bleeding.

Hope soon found out that there’s no such thing as “too young” or “too healthy” when it comes to bowel cancer. Living in pain as her symptoms worsened over time, Hope was eventually diagnosed with bowel cancer at the Charity Hospital in Christchurch.

Not long after, Hope and her aunt joined Bowel Cancer New Zealand's online support network - with their first visit to the online forum having a significant impact.

“As I read the stories and comments, I immediately started feeling less alone. I’d go to the support group and hear the real-life stories of those affected by the disease.”

Hope's health battle has taken a mental toll just as much as it has physically, which is why she also applied to Bowel Cancer New Zealand to receive free counselling.

By signing up and raising funds for Dry July, you will be helping to support the care and wellbeing of people like Hope, enabling Bowel Cancer New Zealand to provide these incredible services for people affected by bowel cancer. 💚

Read Hope's full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2021/hopes-story