We received the news when we were at home on the farm with my grandparents. My parents went to Wagga Wagga to receive the results from dad’s test. My siblings and I were in the lounge room watching TV when my mum and dad walked in they started talking to my grandparents about the results.

"Later that day they sat us down and told us that dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer."

We all started crying at the thought that dad might not be with us much longer. I was 7, Josh was 5, Imogen was 3 and Spencer was just 1. This was on the 16th August 2001.

"I didn’t talk about it at school with my friends."

But now that I am older it is starting to kick in that I haven’t got a dad anymore. I always think “who will give me away when I get married?” even though that’s a long way away. Luckily, my friends are always very supportive – they are always there for me, especially when it comes to fathers day.

But when those tough days come up, I sit in my room with the music turned up high with photo albums of dad and remember all the good times I shared with him. And I try to remember that although I have lost the most amazing person in my life, I have many great and rewarding memories of him that will stay with me forever.

"My dad was a very talented painter so whenever I am painting I remember him."

When I was little I believed that after it rained and a rainbow came out it was like dad had sent me a rainbow to say hello. (I still kind of like to think that today –it’s so cute!)

If your parent has been diagnosed with cancer (or even if they haven’t) then treasure every day as it comes, because you never know which one might be their last.