Our team
We are a national patient and whānau-led charity aiming to reduce the impact of bowel cancer on the New Zealand community through awareness, education, support, research and promotion of access to appropriate screening and treatments. Through our work we aim to save lives from the second biggest cancer killer in New Zealand.
We receive no funding from the Government, so we rely on the generosity of New Zealanders like you to help us spread the word and beat bowel cancer.
Background to Bowel Cancer New Zealand
The charity was founded in 2010 by a group of people affected by bowel cancer, with the support of clinicians committed to improving bowel cancer awareness among the general public and health professionals. The charity aims to provide clear and up-to-date information about: the disease, symptoms, what to do if diagnosed, and treatments.
We encourage people to communicate frankly about all aspects of this disease, and not to be embarrassed to talk about bottoms and bowels!
Bowel Cancer is New Zealand’s cancer. Instead of leading the world in terms of the numbers of people affected by bowel cancer and deaths from bowel cancer, we need to lead the world in terms of finding solutions to this disease and improving outcomes for patients.
We are a (growing) group of volunteers dedicated to helping to fight bowel cancer in New Zealand. We welcome expressions of interest from people wanting to contribute to the group’s mission and activities. Contributions could include time and enthusiasm, monetary donations – or both.
Don’t hesitate to contact us via our email address: info@beatbowelcancer.org.nz.
BCNZ Strategic Plan 2017-2019
Executive Members
The following committee was elected October 2018
Trisha Cooney
Chairperson
Peter Krijger
Deputy Chairperson
Kevin Jones
Treasurer
Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau
Secretary
Sarah Derrett
Stefan Corbett
Annika Lim
Louisa Graham
Rebekah Heal
General Manager
Kimberly Tall
Administrator/volunteers coordinator
Mary Bradley
Communications and Funding Manager
Our Medical Advisory Panel
Frank Frizelle
Frank Frizelle is a Professor of Colorectal Surgery at Christchurch Hospital and the Editor in Chief for the New Zealand Medical Journal.
Sue Crengle
Sue has a wealth of experience (GP, Public Health Physician, and academic focused on Māori health – among many other things), including work with aspects of the Waitemata DHB Screening Pilot and acceptability of recruitment for Māori.
Alasdair Patrick
Alasdair is the Head of Gastroenterology Department, Middlemore Hospital, Head of Bowel Cancer screening programme, CMDHB, Director of the Macmurray Center and Consultant Gastroenterologist and General Physician at Middlemore Hospital.
Additional information is also available from the following links.