Sharing Strength, Sharing The Message

Some moments in life change you forever – walking through the doors of the Trudy Crowley Foundation’s Cancer Support Centre was one of those for me.

At the time, I was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer – exhausted, vulnerable, and unsure what lay ahead. I had no idea that behind those doors I’d find not just support, but a sense of belonging, strength, and hope. Today, I’m deeply thankful to be in remission – and incredibly honoured to have recently been named one of the Patrons of the Trudy Crowley Foundation for 2025, alongside MP Amanda Camm.

Founded in honour of the extraordinary Trudy Crowley, the Foundation continues her mission: to empower people with knowledge, compassion and dignity as they navigate the hardest times of their lives.

That’s why this role is so meaningful to me.

The Trudy Crowley Foundation isn’t just a support service – it’s a lifeline. It’s a community. It’s a place where conversations happen, tears fall, laughter returns, and strength is shared in silence and in solidarity. And it’s where I first heard the message that changed everything:
Know your body. Know your normal. Be your biggest advocate.

This is the message the late Bridgeen Doherty – a fierce ambassador of the Foundation who sadly passed away in February – championed so passionately. It’s now a message I carry forward, in her honour and in Trudy’s.

With cancer diagnoses rising – particularly among younger people – we need to keep talking. We need to break through fear and stigma, and make space for knowledge, for early detection, for each other.

To stand alongside this remarkable organisation as a Patron is a privilege I don’t take lightly. If my story can help even one person stop, think, and speak up about their health – then I’ll have done something worthwhile.

To learn more about my story and the Trudy Crowley Foundation, pick up a copy of this month's Core Life Magazine.

Amanda

‍