TV presenter Catriona Rowntree’s heartbreak over sister’s ‘incurable’ cancer diagnosis

Getaway host Catriona Rowntree has revealed her big sister, Lucinda, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

Beloved TV presenter Catriona Rowntree has shared heartbreaking news that her big sister, Lucinda, has been diagnosed with “incurable” cancer.

The Getaway host spoke out about her sad personal news on Instagram yesterday, which also happened to be Lucinda’s birthday.

“A bit of a personal post for me, today is my big sister Lucinda’s birthday, Lucinda is a true gem. Unlike me, growing up Lucinda never caused my parents an ounce of worry,” Rowntree began her post.

“We have recently found out that Lucinda has Stage 4 Cancer, which is apparently incurable. I’m trying so hard to choose my words carefully here, other than to say a lot of tears have been shed, BUT Lucinda is fighting and positive. We all are.”

Catriona Rowntree with her sister Lucinda. Picture: Catriona Rowntree/ Instagram

Rowntree revealed her sister, who is a school teacher, has began both chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. With her cancer fight taking precedence, Lucinda is now unable to work, said Rowntree, and therefore friends have set up a Go Fund Me page for the mum-of-four. So far, more than $40k has been raised.

“Her girlfriends have created a #GoFundMe page to ease the household stress and I’ve asked her permission to share this with you,” Rowntree explained on Instagram.

“Lucinda is the first to be placed on a new medical trial, that may one day help a loved one of yours. So, if you’d like to donate, thankyou, trust me when I say to live your life to the absolute max, none of us know what each moment holds for us and please say a little prayer for Lucinda tonight. Thankyou.”

In her post, Rowntree also touched on her memories growing up with Lucinda, who she alluded is the Golden Child of the family.

Catriona Rowntree says Lucinda (front, centre) is the gold child of their family. Picture: Catriona Rowntree/Instagram

“Lucinda is a true gem. Unlike me growing up Lucinda never caused my parents an ounce of worry (other than liking AC/DC),” Rowntree recalled. “I’d do anything for her blonde beauty (I remember Dad would cut her hair for years, standing on the laundry step with a ruler placed on her back) her smile and laugh warms everyone’s hearts. Lucinda had no boyfriend dramas as she married her first boyfriend … Can you believe that and they’re still madly in love.”

And Lucinda’s friends sing her praises on the Go Fund Me page too, describing Lucinda as a much loved member of the West Pymble community in Sydney.

“Her laughter lights up the room and we are keen to lighten the load and help with weekly bills to keep her comfortable in her home during this time,” they wrote on the site. “We want to show Lucinda we love her and we are all with her.”

Originally published as TV presenter Catriona Rowntree’s heartbreak over sister’s ‘incurable’ cancer diagnosis