Support Ben Lewis after incurable bowel cancer diagnosis

In February last year, our beloved Ben was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He had no symptoms but by the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver. Following major surgery to remove the primary tumour, he began intensive chemotherapy treatment. Despite his strength and determination, the cancer has proved to be quite aggressive and resistant to the chemotherapy drugs. Liver surgery followed and more chemotherapy but sadly the cancer has continued to spread. In April this year, scans revealed tumours in the liver, lungs and pelvis, too many to remove surgically or treat with radiation. Ben’s cancer is now considered incurable.

Ben has now stopped chemotherapy and moved to a targeted inhibitor treatment in the hope of slowing the growth of the tumours. Treatment has been debilitating and left him with terrible neuropathy in his hands and feet, another cruel side effect of an already devastating disease. The speed and relentlessness of this illness have taken a tremendous toll — physically, emotionally, and financially.

What makes Ben’s story even more heartbreaking is that he is also the primary carer for his beautiful wife, Melle. In 2021, at just 40 years old, Melle suffered a life-changing stroke caused by the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This devastating event resulted in Melle spending nearly 9 months in hospital. Since that day, Ben has been by Melle’s side every step of the way as she continues her long rehabilitation journey. They have been an incredible team and Ben has made it his life’s mission to help Melle regain her independence and fulfil her goals of returning to work and living a rich and rewarding life.

Ben, now 45, has been Melle’s rock through all of this. He has dedicated himself completely to her rehabilitation, despite his own declining health. Neither Ben nor Melle have been able to work since her stroke in 2021, and this has naturally taken a toll on their finances.

Before illness took so much from them, Ben and Melle were successful performers in Australia and London. They lived vibrant, creative lives, and were deeply loved by the many communities they touched through their work. When tragedy struck Melle in 2021, these communities rallied in love and support. We never imagined we’d be reaching out again so soon.

But now, we need your help — urgently and humbly.

This GoFundMe campaign will support the following:

Ben’s greatest concern is not for himself — it’s for Melle, and that he will be leaving her before their journey is complete.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us in this unimaginable chapter. Any contribution, big or small, helps more than we can express. Please share this with your networks if you're able.

With love and gratitude,

The Lewis and Stewart families.