Adam Lynch raises awareness of this disease in honour of his late wife
Inspired by his late wife Anna who passed away after a battle with bladder cancer in 2017, Adam Lynch is helping others touched by the disease.
Living in Elanora Heights, Adam is the founder of not-for-profit charity BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia (BEAT). The organisation came about following Adam’s experience as Anna’s carer.
“We didn’t have the support that we needed on our journey as we tried to navigate the health system and treatment options and all of those complicated things that you just don’t know about,” Adam says. “You’re thrown into that world completely unprepared.”
Anna was the inspiration for the creation of BEAT. She wanted to support others with bladder cancer. “She would say, ‘When I’m better, I want to help others.’”
“It was very much on Anna’s wish and in tribute to her,” says Adam.
Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in Australia. Adam says that it is the only cancer where the five-year survival rate has gone backwards over the last 30 years, despite significant medical advances in the cancer space.
“That’s largely due to the low profile of bladder cancer, the lack of investment in new treatments, and the lack of understanding of symptoms and when to see a doctor.”
Adam hopes the work that BEAT is doing will raise awareness that ‘bladder cancer is not rare, that the main symptom is blood in the urine, and that you do need to go and see a doctor or primary healthcare nurse if you’re exhibiting symptoms.’
A key community awareness initiative of BEAT’s is the annual Anna’s Walk. Starting in 2018 as a memorial walk for Anna on the Northern Beaches, it is now an annual community awareness and fundraising walk across various cities.
Building an alliance with other health organisations, Adam and the team are currently developing a behavioural change campaign ‘Don’t Worry, Pee Happy,’ encouraging community members to take ownership of their urine health, to ‘check their pee’ and to act early.
“You know your body better than anyone else, so if something feels wrong or looks wrong, then please go and see a doctor,” he urges.
Adam (centre) with his children, partner Katherine and her children
Alongside BEAT, Adam has also founded Adam Lynch Consulting, supporting small and medium not-for-profits to build and execute their strategy. Adam brought existing business skills with him to the founding of BEAT, but for others keen to make a difference by starting their own not-for-profit, it’s not always straightforward.
“A lot of not-for-profits are set up by highly passionate people who want to do the right thing but don’t have all the right business skills,” Adam says. “A lot of them were really struggling to get off the ground and make the difference they dream of making.”
Outside of work, Adam prioritises spending time with his family and lives with his children, partner Katherine, and her children. An avid ocean skier, he enjoys staying active on the Beaches’ waterways, keeping healthy both mentally and physically. “When you lose someone you love, you realise how fragile your health can be. Anna was a nutritionist, she led a very healthy life, no risk factors and suddenly she got struck down with this,” says Adam. “You realise you need to take your health seriously.”
Adam encourages everyone to do what they love. “Be brave. You will never regret following your passion and purpose to do something that excites you and gives you real meaning.
“Whether that’s spending time with family, being involved in a charity and giving back that way, being healthy and doing outdoor activities that you love. Whatever it is, then that is way more important than being consumed by your job.”