1. OUR MISSION
To significantly reduce the prevalence of bowel cancer in Australia.
We are committed to:
• Promoting awareness about the high incidence of bowel cancer in Australia
• Educating Australians about the importance of bowel screening and the tests available
• Improving the uptake of regular and appropriate screening by all people from age 40
• Advertising, publicity and our events which raise awareness about the high incidence
of bowel cancer in Australia and promote early detection as a solution. On August
10th this year we launch an awareness campaign in conjunction with the AFL and
Carlton and Western Bulldogs Football Clubs.
• Our Corporate Bowel Screening Program through which businesses and organisations
can educate individuals about bowel cancer and distribute bowel screening tests.
• Know Your Risk - a website that allows people to record their family history of bowel
cancer and provides them with an assessment as to whether their risk of developing
the disease is elevated.
• Research projects to improve the early detection of bowel cancer and participation in
screening programs.
Jodi Lee was a happily married mother of two young children when she was diagnosed
with Stage IV bowel cancer. Despite being fit and healthy 39 year old with no symptoms,
Jodi was told she had just two years to live. She passed away on 16 January 2010.
Jodi’s story could have had a very different ending if her cancer had been detected early.
OUR INITIATIVES
JODI’S STORY

2. Bowel cancer is a major health issue facing all Australians, however awareness of the
disease is alarmingly low and, as a result, too may lives are lost each year.
• Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world
• One in 12 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime
• Over 17,000 people are diagnosed every year. This number is projected to
increase to 20,000 cases each year by 2020
• Bowel cancer is Australia’s single most common internal cancer
• It claims 5,000 Australian lives every year, making it the second most common
cause of internal cancer-related death after lung cancer
• The risk of bowel cancer increases from age 40 and significantly from age 50
• It can affect anyone at any age, men and women alike
The good news is bowel cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat - if detected
early, 90% of cases can be cured. Despite this, very few people take action to
protect themselves against bowel cancer.
In just two years we have:
• Launched our Corporate Bowel Screening Program, presenting at businesses
nationally and facilitated distribution of over 3500 screening tests
• Held major events to raise money and importantly, awareness among local
communities
• Been publicly recognised by the Australian Federal Government for our achievements
in encouraging bowel cancer screening
• Funded a research project to improve the role of the pharmacist in the early detection
of bowel cancer
• Collaborated with Cancer Council SA and CSIRO to build a simple and interactive
website - Know Your Risk - that helps people self assess their risk of developing bowel
cancer based on their family history
• Developed an engaged online community allowing our messages to reach thousands
of people across several countries
• Driven a proactive media campaign resulting in the Foundation featuring in hundreds
of stories across television, print, radio and online media
THE JODI LEE FOUNDATION
THE FACTS
AC HIEVEMENTS