Who’s Who in 2022, Community, John Dowling

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 69, John Dowling wasn’t going to sit around and feel sorry for himself.

While he said his world was “turned upside down” following his diagnosis in 2013, John fought hard to beat the disease and become an advocate for research and the Moreton Bay Regional Prostate Cancer Support Group.

With prostate cancer overtaking breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer, John says it is important to lend a listening ear and support to the more than 66 men who are diagnosed each day.

John shared his story with Moreton Daily in early September, which was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

John bravely shared his story and urged other men to get tested, saying “the biggest problem that still remains in heading to a cure is early diagnosis, and the reason for that is men don’t look after their health”.

John also successfully spearheaded a charity fun run on the Redcliffe peninsula in August, raising $15,000 with the help of the community.

Proceeds from the day were donated to the Urology Department at the Redcliffe Hospital.

John was also instrumental in connecting the Moreton Bay Regional Prostate Cancer Support Group with another local family who were taking part in The Long Run – an initiative that called on Aussies to run, walk or wheel 72km to raise money into finding a cure for prostate cancer.

John, along with his friend Peter Ham, who is the support group Leader, presented a cheque worth $2000 to Casey and Dan (last name withheld), which they in turn donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

About John Dowling

John Dowling is a member of the Moreton Bay Regional Prostate Cancer Support Group - a group he joined after he was diagnosed at age 69.

John’s role in the group is to help with media relations, and he also organises community fundraisers to raise money for cancer research.

When new members join the support group, John is there to help them settle in and feel comfortable, as he knows firsthand how hard it can be to talk about your health after a diagnosis.

He was instrumental in helping raise $15,000 through a charity fun run that was held along the Redcliffe foreshore, which raised $15,000 for the Urology Department Redcliffe Hospital.

In his spare time, John is also part of a national committee set up by Genesis Care that discusses patient care from the patient’s perspective.

He received care and support from the health care workers at Genesis Care during his radiation sessions, so giving back to those who helped him is important.