1. About Us
Jodi’s Story
Jodi Lee was a happily married mother of two young children when she was diagnosed with Stage IV bowel
cancer. She was only 39 years old. Despite being fit and healthy, with no symptoms, Jodi was told she had
just two years to live. She passed away in January 2010.
Jodi’s story could have had a very different ending if her cancer had been detected early. With that simple
fact as the driving force, The Jodi Lee Foundation was established the same year, in honour of Jodi, with the
sole purpose of saving lives by motivating people to screen regularly, act quickly on symptoms and lead
healthy and active lifestyles.
Our Initiatives
• Events and Awareness Campaigns
Educating Australian communities about bowel cancer, prevention and the importance of early
detection through our many events and awareness campaigns.
• Corporate Bowel Screening Program
A program which allows businesses to educate their workforce about bowel cancer and provide them
with simple screening tests to be completed in the privacy of their own home.
• Know Your Risk
A website that allows people to record their family history of bowel cancer and provides them with an
assessment on their risk of developing the disease.
• PhD Research Fellowship
Research to promote medical consultation by people presenting at pharmacies with symptoms of
bowel disease.
Facts
• Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.
• Over 14,000 people are diagnosed every year. This number is projected to increase to 20,000 cases
each year by 2020.
• Every 2 hours, bowel cancer claims a life. That’s around 80 people every week or more than 4,000
people each year.
• The risk of bowel cancer increases from age 40 rising sharply and progressively from age 50.
• Up to 90% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated or even prevented, if detected early.