MEMBER for Mornington, Chris Crewther MP, will lead a 21km trek along the Mornington electorate coastline, starting from sunrise on Saturday 31 May, to raise bowel cancer awareness, particularly of early-onset bowel cancer, ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June.
The Coastal Walk for Bowel Cancer Awareness is being held in partnership with Bowel Cancer Australia’s #Never2Young campaign, which aims to raise community awareness of early-onset bowel cancer, provide better support to young people diagnosed with the disease, and give younger people a voice in helping change clinical practice and policy.
Starting at 7am where Kackeraboite Creek meets the beach in Mount Eliza, the walk will span scenic beaches and coastal paths from Mount Eliza, to Mornington and Mount Martha, concluding by 5pm at the beach west of Ellerina Rd in Mount Martha. The aim will be to film the walk live, and locals are invited to join Chris at the beginning or along the route, particularly at Mornington Park from 11-11.30am, to take part in a cause that affects too many, too young.
As part of the event, stories from families affected by bowel cancer will be shared, with residents encouraged to participate, donate, and share their own messages. Branded Bowel Cancer Australia merchandise, including awareness singlets and red apple pins, will also be worn to mark the occasion.
“Bowel cancer is a horrible disease that can strike without warning, robbing so many people of their health, their futures, and far too often, their lives. While many know it as an old person’s disease, statistics suggest that bowel cancer is now the deadliest form of cancer among younger people aged 25 to 54”, said Crewther.
“Early diagnosis is so important. Almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected at the earliest stage. I decided to host this walk because too many young Australians are suffering in silence, and if raising awareness can save even one life, then every step is worth it.”
Crewther’ chief of staff, voluntary Bowel Cancer Ambassador, and survivor, Donna Hope OAM, will be joining Chris on sections of the walk.
Hope is passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer, and said: “Bowel cancer isn’t a sexy topic, but it’s one we need to be speaking about. Bowel cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. That’s why events like this are so important for raising awareness. It’s not just about fitness and the Mornington electorate’s beautiful coastline, it’s about saving lives”.
Bowel Cancer Australia CEO, Julien Wiggins, said “Bowel cancer is estimated to be the deadliest cancer from men and the second deadliest cancer for women under 50. This risk of being diagnosed before age 40 has more than doubled since 2000, and one-in-nine new bowel cancer cases now occur in people under age 50.”
The walk is also part of Crewther and Hope’s joint advocacy push for faster GP referrals for younger Australians – within 30 days of symptom onset – as well as for further research funding into the causes and prevention of early-onset bowel cancer.
As part of this walk, Crewther will be fundraising for Bowel Cancer Australia’s Red Apple Day on 18 June 2025. People can donate via: redappleday.au/page/Chris-97286552
First published in the Mornington News – 27 May 202
