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General News

10 August, 2023

Jaymz comes home

After a shock cancer diagnosis left him stranded in Alice Springs, 26-year-old Maryborough man Jaymz Lester-Stevens has returned home. As The Advertiser reported last month, Jaymz relocated to the Northern Territory in April to start working at the...

By Riley Upton

Jaymz comes home - feature photo

After a shock cancer diagnosis left him stranded in Alice Springs, 26-year-old Maryborough man Jaymz Lester-Stevens has returned home.

As The Advertiser reported last month, Jaymz relocated to the Northern Territory in April to start working at the Ayers Rock Resort, but began experiencing stomach discomfort which grew to severe pain.

Vomiting blood, he was flown to the Alice Springs Hospital for emergency surgery last month, where a large cancer mass was removed from his upper bowel.

Jaymz has since returned home to his family in Maryborough and is recovering from the major surgery, however has been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and will need to undergo chemotherapy.

“Having Jaymz back home is a huge relief, it’s great to have him back,” his brother Jack said.

“We’re thrilled to have him back after that first hurdle, but there are many more hurdles that are going to come up for us moving forward.”

More than $3500 has been donated to a GoFundMe page set up for the family since Jaymz became unwell, helping to ease the pressure of medical treatment.

Jack said the support from the community was “heartwarming”.

“The community support we’ve received so far means the world, it just shows that when things like this happen, people are there and are happy to help,” he said.

“It’s very heartwarming to see the number of people who have your back when you’re in a situation like this, we’re honestly so thankful for everything.”

Jaymz and his mother have moved in with his grandparents due to cost of living pressures and a lack of local rental properties.

Jack said while Jaymz’ sudden diagnosis came unexpectedly, it’s a reminder for all people to see a GP if something seems off.

“I think this has really shown that regardless of a person’s age, if you’re noticing something unusual about your health, go and seek medical attention,” he said.

“Bringing awareness to this and the importance of having checkups is important and that’s something we’re really taking away from the situation with my brother.”

The family is looking to organise fundraisers in the community to further support Jaymz, with dates and details of these to be finalised.

In the meantime, donations are still welcome online at https://gofund.me/0733fd1a

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