Buderim mum reacts to bowel cancer diagnosis as GoFundMe launches

A Sunshine Coast single mum-of-two has been dealt a devastating health blow after just as she was rebuilding her makeup business which “crumbled” during Covid-19.

Makeup artist and single mum-to-two Natalie Hunter has been diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 43. Picture: Contributed

A single mum-of-two rebuilding her business after it crumbled through Covid has been dealt a bitter blow in the shape of a devastating health diagnosis.

Natalie Hunter was lying in a hospital bed, following a scan, after suffering tummy pain so excruciating she had phoned an ambulance, when her world changed.

She had visited a doctor but ended up on an early morning trip to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital as the pain worsened.

The 43-year-old Buderim resident was alone, on February 15, when a young doctor entered the room.

She thought she had a twisted bowel.

“A doctor took my hand and looked at me and said ‘you’ve got bowel cancer and it’s spread to your liver’,” Ms Hunter said.

“I said to the doctor ‘is this a dream?’”

Ms Hunter, a fit, single mum-of-two who eats well “80 per cent of the time” said at first she could not call her loved ones to tell them of her diagnosis and instead spoke to a social worker who gave her the strength to pick up the phone.

The next day, she was in surgery to have the cancerous part of her bowel removed.

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She will next undergo an aggressive round of chemotherapy to shrink the tumours in her liver before more surgery.

The mum of a 14-year-old and 11-year-old said she had “surrendered” to the diagnosis but “just knows” she is going to pull through.

Her friend and neighbour, Christine Bevinetto, said she had already watched Ms Hunter struggle as a makeup artist throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I watched Nat go through Covid and lose her business for two years, she was just building her business back up and I’m watching it all crumble again,” she said.

Natalie Hunter has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, aged 43, and her friend and neighbour Christine Bevinetto has started a fundraiser to help her pay her bills during treatment. Picture: Contributed

“She definitely doesn’t deserve it.”

The 36-year-old started a GoFundMe seven days ago for her friend, which has already raised more than $15,400 of its $20,000 goal.

The money will go towards covering household costs and paying the bills as Ms Hunter starts the fight of her life.

The makeup artist said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of those who had already donated.

“I’m completely blown away by the support,” Ms Hunter said.

She also wanted others her age to understand that bowel cancer did not only affect older people and urged anyone who noticed changes in their bowel movements to go to their doctor.

You can donate here.