At the age of only 37, Canberra man Dan Tye was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 colorectal cancer. He and his wife Lauren received the diagnosis when their baby daughter Ava was only six months old.

Now, they are asking the public to support Mr Tye in his fight against cancer by helping to raise much-needed funds.

“The funds would be used to support Dan, to alleviate any financial stress that we’re facing at the moment, and hopefully for Dan to have as much time to spend with Ava as possible,” Mrs Tye said.

Sisters-in-law Caitlin and Sian Thomas launched an online fundraiser to help the young family with medical expenses, travel, and the financial impact of time away from work.

Mrs Tye is on maternity leave, while the family does not know whether Mr Tye will return to work, nor what the long-term treatment plan will be.

“Dan is a loving husband and a wonderful dad to Ava,” Caitlin and Sian said. “He absolutely adores her, and the bond they share is so special. With Lauren currently on maternity leave, they should be enjoying this precious chapter together as a young family. Instead, they are facing specialist appointments, treatments, surgeries, and everything that comes with Dan’s diagnosis, while doing all they can to cherish every moment with their beautiful daughter.”

Mr Tye underwent surgery last month, and will begin chemotherapy in a few weeks.

The family had not suspected such a serious diagnosis – there was no family history of bowel cancer.

At first, Mrs Tye said, they explained away Dan’s symptoms, including severe fatigue, “in terms of work-related stress or having the newborn baby that we were adjusting to”.

“In young people, the symptoms don’t present like they do in older people; often the symptoms are missed by both the person and the medical staff,” Sian said.

“Dan was diagnosed with a more minor medical condition initially, which he was receiving treatment for. They found the bowel cancer after he had a minor operation.”

The fundraiser has so far raised about $38,800.

“Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help ease some of the financial pressure while Dan is going through treatment … allowing Dan and Lauren to focus on what matters most: being together as a family and supporting Dan through the road ahead,” Caitlin and Sian said.

Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-dan-and-lauren