A young bartender given just 18 months to live has captured hearts after creating a bucket list and vowing to live his remaining days to the fullest.
Liam Bulman, 23, who lives in Wollongong, NSW, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma – an incurable and rare cancer that will take his life.
Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Mr Bulman so he can achieve his life goals – with nearly half of the $50,000 already raised.
Among his desires is to take a trip to the F1 Melbourne Grand Prix, stay overnight at Taronga Zoo, go on a helicopter ride, learn to surf and bring his family together for a photo session.
Two companies have already told Daily Mail they would be willing to help Mr Bulman cross off some of the requests on his bucket list.
Illawarra Surf Academy has committed a free learn-to-surf session and Translucent Photography has offered to host the family photo shoot at no expense.
Mr Bulman works at The Illawarra Hotel and his boss Nikki Aitchison is the organiser of the online fundraiser that is titled: ‘Bulman’s Bucket List’.
She said the support for it had already exceeded expectations and was left stunned after this publication informed her two companies had already offered their services.
‘It’s been mind-blowing and I feel like we haven’t touched the sides with our (fundraising) efforts yet,’ she said.
‘Thank you so much for what you’ve done, too. That’s amazing. He’ll be so thankful.
‘We’re like a big family here. He’s been working for us for nearly four years after coming down from Newcastle to study at the University of Wollongong.
‘He’s been raised beautifully and is always there helping and supporting other people.’
A post on the GoFundMe page said his shock diagnosis came a few weeks ago, not long after he was forced to leave work early one night in severe pain.
‘In the early hours of the following Monday morning, Bulman was rushed to hospital by his best mate,’ it read.
‘Bulman was in crippling pain. This spiralled into four days of vigorous and invasive testing. He was scared, in pain and incredibly tired.’
He was diagnosed with the rare and dangerous cancer a week later after a series of tests.
Ms Aitchison said Mr Bulman, one of six siblings, had already started chemotherapy treatment to help him buy more time.
‘He’s trying to hold on to as much normalcy as possible,’ she said.
Heartbroken mum Emily said the cancer had already invaded her son’s lymph nodes, starting within his lower digestive region.
‘He has commenced six courses of cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy. This will assist us to aim for longevity, quality of life, a chance to make memories, and receive the care and comfort that suits Liam best,’ she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
She said the cost to attend medical trials could range from $20,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This would be in addition to other costs, she said, such as equipment for at-home palliative care, adjustable bed, IV, blood pressure cuff, oxygen monitor and physical therapy needs.
‘Just these basic immediate medical and personal bills come to just over $46,000,’ she said.
‘This is without even giving him those life experiences he so desperately deserves.
‘Anything we can raise to help take the burden off Liam, we would be incredibly grateful for.’
• Melbourne F1 Grand Prix
• Helicopter ride
• Family photo session
• Concerts, concerts, concerts
• Taronga overnight stay (animal encounters)
• Learn to surf
• Travel to unique destinations
• RV or camper trip
• Motorbike licence
• Hot-air balloon ride
• Japanese spa experience
• Cruise with friend