Finding Purpose in Advocacy and Storytelling

When you’re diagnosed with cancer young, it’s easy to feel like your whole life is put on hold. Everything you thought you were building towards suddenly shifts into survival mode. And for a lot of us, finding a sense of purpose beyond just “getting through” becomes one of the biggest mental battles. For me, I found purpose in advocacy and storytelling.

Why Advocacy Matters

Right from the start, I felt strongly about raising awareness. It was never about being a hero or chasing sympathy. It was about doing whatever I could to stop this from happening to someone else. Or at the very least, to make sure that if it did happen, they would be seen, heard, and supported.

Since my diagnosis, I’ve posted regularly on TikTok and Instagram under Grinding Chemo. I’ve worked alongside Bowel Cancer Australia at Call On Canberra in both 2023 and 2024. I was part of Bowel Cancer Australia’s national awareness campaign last year. I’ve done a few media pieces, from new strories to podcasts. I’ve even stood up at my local Rotary Club to talk about early-onset bowel cancer, something I never expected to do.

One of my proudest projects has been writing and publishing a children’s book called Hope Avenue, to help parents explain cancer to young kids in a gentle, honest way. And, of course, this website, Grinding Chemo is another example. Sharing real stories, creating resources, and breaking down the isolation that so many young patients feel.

Storytelling Isn’t Always Easy

It’s not all smooth sailing. Putting yourself out there comes with risks. Online trolls are real. Vulnerability is hard. Some days you wonder if anyone is even listening. And it’s not just the external stuff either. Talking about your experience over and over can bring up emotions you thought you had packed away neatly.

But for me, the pros massively outweigh the cons. Every message from someone who says, “Thank you, I thought I was the only one” reminds me why it’s worth it. Every parent who now knows what symptoms to look for because they saw a post. I’ve lost count of how many people have told me they booked a GP appointment or a colonoscopy after watching one of my videos. I’ve had people in tears tell me I probably saved their life, or gave them the confidence to ask for a second opinion. Every young patient who feels a little less invisible because they saw a story that sounded like theirs. That’s why I keep showing up.

Finding Strength in Speaking Up

There’s a weird kind of power that comes from taking something awful and turning it into something useful. Cancer took a lot from me, but it also gave me a voice. And I’m going to use it while I still can.

For me, it comes back to a line that sits heavy in my chest:

Still here. Still going. Still fighting. For me, for my wife, for everyone who deserves a better shot and in memory of those who were failed by time and chance.

Advocacy is not just about the people still fighting. It’s also about honouring the ones who never got the chance. The ones who should have been diagnosed earlier. The ones who should have had better options. The ones who deserved more time.

Different Ways to Advocate and Share

You don’t have to post on social media or speak at events to make a difference. There are so many ways to find purpose through advocacy and storytelling:

• Sharing your story privately with friends, family, or support groups
• Writing letters to politicians or health organisations asking for better funding and support
• Contributing to awareness campaigns like Bowel Cancer Australia’s Never Too Young initiative
• Speaking to your local community groups or schools about early detection and symptom awareness
• Creating resources like books, blogs, videos, or podcasts that help others understand the reality of life after a diagnosis

It’s not about being famous. It’s about being useful. Even if you only ever reach one person, that’s one life touched, one mind opened, one ripple that might eventually save a life.

Advocacy Helps You Too

It’s easy to think advocacy is just about helping others, but honestly, it’s helped me too. It gives the chaos some meaning. It lets me feel like I’m doing something in a situation where so much is out of my control. It turns grief into action. It turns anger into impact. It reminds me that even if my story has rough edges, it still matters. And it deserves to be heard.

Some days it’s exhausting. Some days I wonder if it’s even making a dent. But then I remember: we don’t always see the impact right away. And sometimes the simple act of speaking up is powerful enough on its own.

Final Thought

Advocacy and storytelling won’t fix everything. They won’t cure cancer. They won’t undo the losses. But they can help light the path a little for the people coming behind us. They can create change. They can give back a little piece of what cancer tried to steal, hope, connection, purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered whether sharing your story is worth it, let me be the first to say: it is. You never know who’s listening. You never know who might find their next breath of strength because of your words.

Still here. Still going. Still fighting. And still telling the story, for all of us.