Following its support for Bowel Cancer Australia’s charity initiative Decembeard in 2016, RAAF Base Richmond has been chosen as the final stop of the organisation’s ‘Big Bowel Tour 2017’.
As part of this tour, a colossal bowel exhibit – measuring 7 metres in length and 2.6 metres high – will be on display outside RAAF Base Richmond on Tuesday, October 3, with Defence personnel having an opportunity to walk through.
The exhibit displays a three-dimensional bowel, with illustrations of healthy tissue, pre-cancerous polyps, advanced polyps, and a cancerous tumour.
Bowel Cancer claims the lives of more than 2,300 men each year, and the Big Bowel exhibit is intended to promote screening programs for bowel cancer, and encourage visitors to learn means by which bowel cancer can be prevented, treated, and beaten.
A major fundraising initiative for Bowel Cancer Australia’s is Decembeard, a month-long endeavour where participants raise money by growing beards. Receiving a special dispensation to grow beards, personnel from Nos. 35 and 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond participated in Decembeard in 2016, raising over $9000.
