Congratulations John Clements!

John recently completed the Portuguese Camino, walking over 700kms in 26 days, and raising an incredible $10,000 for the Jodi Lee Foundation!

A bowel cancer survivor, John walked not only for his own journey but also in memory of his beloved mum, Shirley, to raise awareness of the life-saving power of early detection that helped save his own life.

Diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer at 50, John credits Shirley for saving his life. She urged him to get checked after her own battle with bowel cancer. A colonoscopy revealed a tumour. Surgery and chemo followed, and heartbreakingly, Shirley passed away the morning of John’s 11th treatment.

Now 68 and cancer-free, John honours Shirley’s legacy through action – just like the 16 JLF Treks he’s completed. This Camino was his biggest challenge yet.

Here’s how John described the experience:

“The Portuguese Camino was a mental challenge even more so than a physical challenge.

Over 700kms in 26 days with 3 rest days at an average of over 27 kms a day was hard.

The weather for us, as with everyone else, was a challenge at times with heat and rain playing a part in their own way.

Getting up at 6am and leaving the Albergue before 7am, mostly in the dark, every day was something different for the first few days but became routine especially as our bodies adjusted to the 30 something thousand steps that we did each day.

Meeting new people at every turn and hearing their varied and interesting stories was something to look forward to as we took step, after step, after step, just as we do in the ‘real world!’ Life goes on and people’s reasons for walking ‘Their Camino’ were heartbreaking, uplifting, inspiring and made one realise that ‘There is always someone worse off than me.’

I would not call it an enjoyable month, but rather a realisation of the ongoing challenges that we all face in life. You either get on with it or…there is not really any alternative for most of us.”

John, your courage and generosity inspire us all. Thank you for walking with purpose and for helping us take steps toward a future free from bowel cancer.

If you’d like to donate to John’s fundraising campaign, you can do so here.

A big thank you to all who have donated or supported John in this fundraising challenge.