Denise and Michael Murphy were together 25 years, best friends, husband and wife and proud parents to Caoimhe (18), Dermot (14) and Cormac (12). In 2020 Michael was diagnosed with stage 4 Bowel Cancer. Mick undertook intensive chemotherapy treatment but sadly in 2021 they received the devastating news it had spread extensively in the liver making it inoperable.

Mick wanted to do all he could to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer and as such became an ambassador for the Marie Keating Foundations #NoRegrets campaign in 2023. Micks impact was powerful, he raised awareness and empowered others to advocate for their own health, listen to their bodies and not to ignore the signs and symptoms regardless of age.

Mick sadly passed away in November 2023 aged just 48.

This year Denise has become an ambassador for #NoRegrets.

Denise will be supporting us this year to continue on from the incredible work Mick did last year in raising awareness and sharing his story so openly. He wanted to help as many people as possible and prevent them from facing a similar diagnosis. Denise wishes to honour this and continue supporting this goal and Micks legacy.

Denise urges anyone with signs and symptoms to have #NoRegrets and get checked asap.

“Don’t wait to go to the GP, if you won’t go to the doctor for yourself go for your partner, go for your kids, for your mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters who will miss you so much when you’re gone”.

Mick was proud to share his story to save other families from what ours went through. Throughout his illness he used his experience to try help and educate others. I know he would be very happy that his story will be shared again this year and I am proud to be small part of this year’s campaign in Mick’s memory.

Denise is sharing her story as an ambassador for our #NoRegrets campaign to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer and urge the public to have #NoRegrets and get checked if the notice any symptoms of Bowel Cancer and to have #NoRegrets and advocate for your health, Bowel cancer is not just a disease of older age.

This campaign is also calling on the government to have #NoRegrets and reduce screening age now from 59 to 50!