On Friday, Cancer Council Victoria is holding its first-ever Cancer Research Giving Day, which will see donations doubled from 9am to 9pm to help support the average 34,675 Victorians diagnosed with cancer every year.

Four years ago, Mr Gale's life changed when he went to his GP complaining of a sore back and bulged disc.

CT scans revealed Mr Gale had advanced stage four bowel cancer, sending him into a "blur".

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"Your mind sort of goes into a panic mode," he said.

The Bendigo man underwent three years of medication, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery before finally going into remission in November last year.

While the cancer was advanced, Mr Gale continued to work throughout treatment, despite the pandemic making it more difficult and isolating.

"It really does slow your life down," he said.

However, he's become more grateful and appreciative of life, noting his perspective has changed since his diagnosis.

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"People complain about the smallest, silliest thing," he said.

"Life's too short to worry about some things people worry about."

He credits his wife - also a cancer survivor - and generous healthcare staff with getting him through the arduous treatment process.

Mr Gale is also a strong advocate for cancer awareness and remains optimistic for the future of cancer research, prognosis and diagnosis.

"Research is the only reason I'm here," he said.

OTHER NEWS:

Mr Gale's story is sadly not uncommon, he is just one of 34,675 Victorians diagnosed with cancer each year.

Despite the limitations of the pandemic, Cancer Council Victoria spent $23.7 million dollars on cancer research in 2020.

"Together we can continue to fund world-class local research to improve diagnosis, detection, and treatment for every cancer," the charity's chief executive Todd Harper said.

"For 12 hours, every dollar you give will have twice the impact and will bring us closer to a future without cancer."

For more information or to support Cancer Council Victoria's lifesaving cancer research visit cancerresearchgivingday.com.au.

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