A 25 year old cancer survivor is encouraging the community to support WA cancer research by donating to Cancer Council WA's annual Cancer Research Giving Day, Tuesday, 11 February 2025, from 9 am - 9 pm.
Warwick resident, Josh Bahn, said cancer research gave him an optimistic prognosis, treatment options and the best possible outcome.
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in February 2022, just five weeks after my mum, Julie, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," Josh said.
"I think hearing the words 'you have cancer' in any circumstance is enough to make someone go a little bit crazy. But for it to be so close to each other is just cruel."
Josh began chemotherapy on his 23rd birthday, while Julie endured several rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, along with the added struggle of contracting sepsis multiple times.
"Luckily for me, my treatment finished after three months. As of May 2025, I'll be celebrating three years of being cancer free," Josh shares.
"I wish I could say the same for Mum. Unfortunately, Mum passed away on 4 April 2024 after a 27-month battle.
"The generosity of people donating to research gives people like me hope."
Cancer Council WA's CEO, Ashley Reid, said this year they were hoping to raise $350,000 to allow researchers to continue their ground-breaking work.
"This year, we are hoping the community will again dig deep to reach $350,000, including $175,000 in matched donations," Mr Reid said.
"Stopping cancer starts by understanding it, and research is the key to unlocking the answers we need for a cancer free future.
"Survival rates for some of the most common cancers including breast, melanoma and prostate cancer is more than 90 per cent, and the overall five-year survival rate for all cancers is more than 70 per cent.
"This, in part, is thanks to research that informs improvements in screening, diagnosis and treatment
"However, with 14,000 West Aussies diagnosed with cancer every year, we must continue to fund our world-class local researchers to improve diagnosis, detection and treatment for every cancer.
"Every dollar donated on or before 11 February 2024, will be matched, meaning a $10 donation will translate to $20 for local cancer research."
How your donation helps:
- $25 = $50: Can help our researchers investigate new cancer treatments using up-to-date equipment.
- $50 = $100: Can help pay for a blood sample to be processed, allowing discoveries in how cancer develops.
- $100 = $200: Can help pay for an under-mattress sensor to study the effect of sleep on cancer.
- $250 = $500: Can help our researchers to use tumour samples to improve the way we prevent and detect cancers.
To donate, visit cancerwa.asn.au or call 1300 65 65 85.
For support and information call 13 11 20 or visit cancerwa.asn.au.
