The Jodi Lee Foundation held their inaugural International Women's Day Luncheon to celebrate the many women who support them in their fight against bowel cancer. This event was proudly sponsored by SALIFE Magazine.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and the leading cancer killer in 25- to 34-year-olds, but it doesn’t have to be.

If detected early, up to 99 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated.

On Monday, 5 February 2024, more than 370 people packed into the Ian McLachlan Room at Adelaide Oval to hear from inspirational speakers, support the Jodi Lee Foundation (JLF) and celebrate International Women’s Day.

JLF board member Tania Carey was the incredible MC for the day and shared her story about losing her twin sister to bowel cancer 10 years ago.

The event featured a panel session with JLF Corporate Partners Anna Roussos, founder and director at Roussos Recruitment, and Rose Cocchiaro, founding partner of Resolve Divorce, who shared so vulnerably some challenges they had faced and overcome.

There certainly wasn’t a dry eye in the house listening to these two inspirational women speak so openly about their struggles and how they have now led to extraordinary breakthroughs.

The final part of the day saw the talented Belinda Heggen, founder of Fluent Media, interview the special guest speaker Jelena Dokic, former world number 4 tennis player.

You could have heard a pin drop throughout the entire interview – Jelena had everyone hanging on her every word. She shared so openly about her life as a two-time refugee and domestic violence victim at the hands of her father. How she overcame it all and is now thriving is an incredible testament to her willpower and resilience. The whole crowd loved listening to Jelena be so open, raw and inspiring.

Founder and chair of the Jodi Lee Foundation, Nick Lee, closed the day by speaking about why the Foundation is so passionate about raising awareness for the early detection and prevention of bowel cancer.

He encouraged everyone to follow the BEAT message to prevent bowel cancer and other diseases: Be active and healthy, Explore your family history, Act on symptoms, and Take a bowel screening test.

Find more information on bowel cancer and other JLF initiatives at www.jodileefoundation.org.au
Learn about bowel cancer symptoms and use the Symptom Checker tool at www.trustyourgut.com.au