PREVENTION was one of the key messages Busselton resident Katie Bock learnt after losing her brother to cancer.
Jeff Bock was just 33-years-old when he passed away from bowel cancer.
Ms Bock said the Cancer Council were a huge support to her brother’s family, which has led her to giving back to the organisation through Relay for Life.
Hopeful Heroes were part of Busselton’s first Relay for Life event in 2014 and Ms Bock’s team has already begun fundraising for the 2016 event.
“Cancer is not just for old people anymore, it can happen to anyone,” she said.
Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for three in every 10 deaths.
The Cancer Council website shows in 2012, 43,039 Australians died of cancer, which equates to 832 people every week.
Ms Bock said her brother did not know what the bowel cancer symptoms were, making it hard to identify the problem.
Ms Bock said the more people are made aware of cancer, the more people can try and prevent it.
The Hopeful Heroes have just finished Dry August and have been selling raffle tickets at the Vasse markets.
They are also planning a wine tasting event at Abbey Beach Resort in November.
Busselton’s Relay for Life will be in April 2016 and Ms Bock said the previous event was excellent.
“It felt really good to give back to the Cancer Council and raise awareness in our team,” she said.
During the 24 hour walking event there is a ceremony to recognise those who have been lost from the disease.
“It’s really emotional but it was really good to be surrounded by people who are impacted,” Ms Bock said.
