Many of you know my brother, James Cowling, as a guy with the biggest heart. He's a wonderful friend and co-worker, devoted father and husband, a larrikin and someone who's always willing to help others.

Sadly, in the past 16 months, James has been fighting an enormous battle. He was diagnosed with advanced melanoma and put on aggressive treatment. Unfortunately, the cancer spread in November, which resulted in more surgery and treatment.

In the past year, he's faced:

6 biopsies (3 confirming new cancer, 1 confirming developing cancer to be cut out)

7 PET/CT cancer scans

2 surgeries that had him bed ridden for 6 weeks

1 surgery on his back (not as eventful, just pain, a recovery and scar)

Half a year of frequent immunotherapy

20 sessions of radiation

North of 50 days spent in hospital / treatment.

James shared this in his own words:

"As a result of the cancer, I’m now missing 18 lymph nodes in my left side. I’ve been told that if I get cut on my left foot or leg at any point for the rest of my life I can develop a life threatening infection. This happened to me in June last year. I developed Cellulitis, which spread into my blood stream and poisoned my blood (Sepsis). I’ve truly never felt sicker and if it weren’t for the success of the anti-biotics during the hospital stay, I wouldn’t be here today.

The treatment to this point has attacked my adrenal or pituitary gland (or both). I now can’t produce adrenaline (Addison’s Disease) and need medication for the rest of my life to avoid intense fatigue and to keep my energy levels normal.

I’ve had physical pain, I’ve had emotional pain. I’ve shed more tears than ever before and so has my family. I’ve had periods of severe depression just trying to cope with what’s gone on and wrapping my head and body around constant new developments.

It’s early days being 16 months in. There are times I feel like my life has been taken from me. The healthy James was killed by the initial misdiagnosis. It would’ve taken a minute to write a referral for a skin check. That minute changed everything for me."

His message is simple: Trust your gut and only you know your own body. If something seems off, get a referral or a second opinion.

As many of you know, James also has a devoted wife, Giovanna, and a 18-month-old baby, Lenny. His cancer battle and need for support has meant that he's been financially stretched and unable to work for a year.

While everyone is doing it tough at the moment, if you can spare some cash to support this wonderful man and his family, we would all be so grateful.

Lastly, as James says, please book in that skin check. It may just save your life.

Thank you so much.

Kate (James’ sister)