Lancefield community steps up for one of their own in desperate need

THE community of Lancefield and beyond is rallying behind a young couple as they confront a devastating cancer prognosis.

Matthew Bennett and his fiance Megan Tatnell. Picture:Rob Leeson.

THE community of Lancefield and beyond is rallying behind a young couple as they confront a devastating cancer prognosis.

Matthew Bennett, 28, has a stage 4 testicular cancer and is set to undergo intense chemotherapy and stem cell therapy until May.

Another six months of recovery and monitoring will follow before Mr Bennett can head back to work as an aircraft engineer.

Mr Bennett’s first diagnosis, without a lump typical of testicular cancer, came last August.

By December, 60 per cent of his liver was removed in surgery to try and stop the cancer spreading.

But five weeks later, the cancer returned and a more aggressive treatment regimen was devised by his oncologist.

While Mr Bennett and his fiance Megan Tatnell are concentrating on the daily fight, the community is doing everything it can to help them.

A crowd funding campaign launched on February 4 has raised more than $18,000 — with the aim of getting to $30,000.

Other family and friends, many who had their heads shaved in support of Mr Bennett, will take part in the Great Ocean Road Marathon in May.

Mr Bennett’s sister Natusha Bennett said her brother’s diagnosis had affected people far beyond his immediate loved ones.

“Matthew is a beautiful man and he is an all-round nice guy,” she said.

“He has always looked after himself and never smoked, so this has shocked everyone.”

Mr Bennett said he was overwhelmed by the support.

“It brings a tear to my eye just thinking of what people have done,” he said.

“Myself and Megan have been engaged for 18 months, but we are looking at bringing it forward.

“We are just trying to keep living life as normal as possible.”

CLICK HERE for Matthew’s crowd funding page.