GoFundMe organised for Thornbury’s Serena Siow after shock cancer diagnosis

A rising Melbourne filmmaker was set to start the biggest job of their career when a sudden cancer diagnosis turned their life upside down. Now, they face a major battle—both physically and financially.

Thornbury’s Serena Siow was diagnosed with stage three lower gastrointestinal cancer Picture: Supplied

A Melbourne camera assistant was set to embark on the project of their dreams when a devastating cancer diagnosis abruptly changed everything.

Thornbury’s Serena Siow, 25, was rushed to hospital on Boxing Day last year with back passage bleeding which — despite initially dismissed as being anything serious — developed into sharp pain which was later discovered to be a mass in the lower intestine.

They were then diagnosed with stage three lower gastrointestinal cancer — otherwise known as colon cancer — which resulted in surgery to remove a large section of their large intestine.

The Sydney-born filmmaker said the ordeal happened so quickly that they barely had time to process it.

“I went from one day thinking I was just a little bit unwell to being taken into an operating

room and then being told I have cancer — everything’s just so surreal,” they said.

Thornbury’s Serena Siow was diagnosed with stage three lower gastrointestinal cancer. A GoFundMe has been organised. Picture: Supplied.

The diagnosis also derailed a major career opportunity.

Mx Siow was two weeks away from starting work as a camera assistant on a large TV production but had to call their boss from hospital to say they wouldn’t be able to return to work.

“It’s quite heartbreaking for me … to be a freelancer and trying to establish new working relationships has been challenging,” they said.

“This job was really important for me, and to have it taken away from me in this way is really hard to wrap my head around.”

A passionate adventurer who loved hiking and camping, Mx Siow said their illness had forced them to give up those activities.

Thornbury’s Serena Siow was meant to start as a camera assistant on a major TV show before her cancer diagnosis. Picture: Supplied.

Financially, the situation has also been tough because as a freelancer, Mx Siow does not receive benefits like sick pay.

“I am not able to work for the rest of the year, and this six-month job that I was meant to be on was going to be a big chunk of my income,” they said.

“The second reality is my work is extremely physical — I took pride in how healthy, fit and strong I am but I don’t know when I will be able to go back to that,” they said.

An online fundraiser set up to ease Mx Siow’s financial burden has already raised more than $31,000, helping cover essential costs.

“The funds will go towards basic living expenses — rent, food, and some Ubers to and from my appointments,” they said.

“I am just truly grateful that people were able to relate and just be generous and kind.”

“It’s a strange concept to accept money from friends and family, let alone strangers, but in a situation like this that is so out of anyone’s control I am just so grateful.”

Mx Siow believes more awareness was needed about colon cancer in younger people.

“This experience for me has reiterated that you need to take your health seriously — and if something feels wrong or you’re not sure about it — you need to seek medical help and talk about it with your loved ones and friends,” they said.