Dahlia was the healthiest she’d ever been when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 27.

It began in 2018 with a small but alarming sign: a bit of blood in her stool. Over the next week, the bleeding worsened until her stool was almost entirely blood.

Trusting her instincts, Dahlia went straight to the doctor. That decision, and her doctor’s swift action in recommending a colonoscopy, ultimately saved her life. The diagnosis was bowel cancer.

Throughout her chemotherapy treatments, Dahlia was on a mission to connect with fellow young bowel cancer patients around the world. She launched ‘Chemo Themeo’, a project where she documented her treatment journey dressed in themed costumes – from Marilyn Monroe to “Evil Chem-Evil,” “chemo-flage,” and even a lifesaver receiving life-saving treatment. Her goal was simple but powerful: to bring humor, hope, and awareness to a difficult experience.

Dahlia also used her Instagram platform, @dahlia.com.au, to share honest glimpses of life with an ileostomy bag. Through her posts, she raised awareness that bowel cancer affects young adults too, and helped break the stigma surrounding the disease. She encouraged honest conversations about topics many shy away from – especially anything “poo-related.”

Her bravery and openness have inspired countless others to pay attention to their own symptoms, check their poo, and seek medical advice early. We know for a fact that Dahlia’s story has already saved lives.

As a proud Youth Ambassador for the Jodi Lee Foundation, Dahlia has trekked with us to raise awareness for bowel cancer prevention and early detection and urges people of all ages to ‘view your poo’ and that if there’s something not quite right with your body to seek medical help.

Bowel cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death among Australians aged 25–44. Raising awareness and promoting prevention and early detection can save lives – just like it saved Dahlia’s.