BOWEL cancer is one of Australia's biggest killers because many do not discover the potentially fatal disease until it is too late.
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The Avery family, of Birmingham Gardens, know this scenario all too well.
Unfortunately, they lost their loving family member Brett Avery when he was aged just 46.
In memory of his death, Mr Avery's youngest daughter Amy Avery has organised the Blue Sapphire Ball, to be held this month.
About 400 people are expected to attend the ball, which will coincide with the 10th anniversary of Mr Avery's death.
Through ticket sales, the family hopes to raise more than $50,000 for the charity Bowel Cancer Australia.
"By remembering Dad and supporting organisations like Bowel Cancer Australia we can educate and create awareness of this disease so no one else has to lose a family member to this treatable disease," Ms Avery said.
Bowel Cancer Australia aims to to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in the community through advocacy, awareness, education, support and research.
The latest statistics show that more than 14,000 people a year are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Australia.
Bowel cancer is the biggest cancer killer of Australians after lung cancer, killing 77 people a week.
■ The Blue Sapphire Ball will be held at Wests, New Lambton, on Friday, November 21, at 7pm. Tickets are $150 each and can be purchased from bluesapphireball.com
