Mark Hamlin Cancer Treatment

On Wednesday 10 March 2021, we received the sad news that our father, Mark Hamlin, was diagnosed with cancer. Dad is a loving husband to Diane and they have shared a wonderful life together since they began their journey as husband and wife on 21 April 1979.

Dad is our world and our rock. He is the centre of our family and adored by all of those especially us and our partners: Ben (Rhiannon), Nathan (Bec), Phil (Shannon) and Katie (Ryan). He is also a much-loved grandfather to Lucy, Jordan, Elizabeth, Cruz, Levi, Joe, Kobi, Isabella, Toby, Poppy, Hendrix, Lotte, Isla, Bella, Darcy, Zac, Mia, Archie, Grace, Stella and Ruby. Not only is he our grandfather he is also Grandad to every other child every time he goes to all school and sporting events to support his grandchildren.

Dad is a long-standing proud member of the Tamworth community both as general support, advocate and most of all protecting the community for 23 years as a police officer. There is not a minute of his day, that he isn't stopped by someone down the street to have a chat with him or to thank him for something he has recently helped them with or he had done in the past whilst working as a police officer.

The cancer that Dad has been diagnosed with is extremely rare and is known as cancer of the peritoneal lining. In short, this is the lining that surrounds the body’s major organs including, stomach, liver, appendix, pancreas and bowel. This cancer is listed as a rare cancer on the International Rare Cancer Database – it affects 0.15 – 0.9 people per 1,000,000. Additionally, the cancer is generally found in females which makes a male case even more of a rarity. It is not completely known if this is the primary or secondary, however his medical team have also suggested the primary cancer may be in the appendix.

Mum and Dad made the journey to Sydney on Thursday 22 April with little known about the treatment he was to receive. Whilst he had a general idea, what has ensued is a rigorous testing schedule ahead of what will be a major surgery which could see Dad have major organs removed such as the bowel, spleen, gallbladder, part of the diaphragm and possible liver. The road to recovery will be extremely long and painful in the Intensive Care Unit and once discharged from hospital he will have to stay in Sydney for 2-3 months. 

We are extremely lucky for the care he is receiving, as Professor Morris at St George Hospital in Kogarah is known as a world leader for the treatment of this rare cancer and has taken the responsibility to look after our father and also support Dad with fighting his cancer.

We have decided to establish this page on our parents’ behalf because the journey to date has already been an expensive one and is likely to grow. Mum and Dad have had to uproot their life in Tamworth and move to Sydney – a place that they don't know well – during his treatment and recovery period. This is all in the hope of giving Dad the best chance at fighting this battle for his life.

Whilst Dad is a man that prefers to give rather than receive, we would appreciate any contribution that you could make to ensure we are able to support our him in this journey – no matter how big or small, every dollar will be the greatest gift you can give us as we walk a path that has come as a great shock to our family.

We will continue to keep this page up to date and would like to thank everyone for their love and generosity to date. We have been overwhelmed with support and kind words.

All funds, which will go towards relieving some of the burden of living expenses, medical and treatment costs and transport costs.

Thank you and all our love.

Ben, Nathan, Phil and Katie.