In a powerful presentation to the entire Carlton Football Club, CEO of The Jodi Lee Foundation, Nick Lee, has urged every coach, player and staff member to regularly screen for bowel cancer.

Nick Lee established the JLF in 2010 after the death of his wife Jodi, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer after showing very few symptoms. The mother of two was just 41 years of age. Nick has since worked tirelessly to raise awareness by bravely telling his story in hope of preventing others from going through similar heartache.

When the Blues take on Adelaide this Saturday, they will be encouraging people to raise awareness around this deadly disease by using #iknowsome1 on Twitter and Instagram.

Although 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated if detected early, it’s estimated 17,000 Australians will be diagnosed this year alone. Bowel cancer is also Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, claiming 5,000 lives each year.

Blues ruckman Cameron Wood and forward Levi Casboult are both ambassadors for the JLF and each has signed on for different reasons.

Last year, Casboult’s uncle was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had to have two thirds of his bowel removed. After completing nine months of chemotherapy Casboult says he’s thankful it’s a “good news story” for his family.

“If you catch it early it’s 90 per cent curable, so anything I can do to help The Jodi Lee Foundation, I would always like to get involved,” Casboult said.

Wood doesn’t know anyone with the disease, but was so moved by Nick’s presentation the previous year that he decided to become an ambassador to help raise awareness.

“I went into the same talk last year not knowing much about bowel cancer and some of the statistics really surprised me,” Wood said.

“I then shared some photos through social media and some of my friends – and even people I didn’t know – contacted me and said it’s a great cause and get behind it.”

So this week use #iknowsome1 on Twitter and Instagram, and spread the word about the importance of early bowel cancer detection.

For more information visit www.jodileefoundation.org.au