Andrew Southcott (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Friday and Saturday I joined 300 tutu-clad people who hiked 80 kilometres of the Heysen Trail through South Australia's Copper Country from Kapunda to Burra to raise funds to support the Jodi Lee Foundation. Between us the hikers raised more than $377,000 to support the foundation's efforts around bowel cancer awareness, screening and research. This year the hike was in memory of Tracey Lee Diamond, who, sadly, lost her battle with bowel cancer in February last year aged just 41. Her twin sister Tania raised over $50,000 and spoke from the heart at the post-event dinner in the historic Burra mine.

The Jodi Lee Foundation's message is simple: the early detection of bowel cancer saves lives. Bowel cancer is Australia's second biggest cancer killer, claiming 5,000 Australians each year. However, this number could be much lower since it is also one of the most preventable cancers, with early detection leading to successful treatment in 90 per cent of cases.

I may be hobbling around parliament this week, but I am very glad I did the hiking challenge. I would like to extent my congratulations to Jodi Lee Foundation CEO Nick Lee and co-founder Tiffany Young on a remarkable event as well as their ongoing fight to eliminate bowel cancer in Australia.

Two-thirds of Australians who receive their free bowel cancer screening kit in the post throw it away. It is a simple test. Please do not let it wait; it could save your life.