A little over a year later, in his home and in the company of his family, Duncan lost his fight with cancer. He was just 20-years-old. 

Two years later, his dream of spreading cancer awareness to his peers is made real, thanks to his loving parents. 

In honour of Duncan parents, Michelle and Michael, alongside their broader family, are hosting a fundraiser at Billy Grace Reserve in Wee Jasper. 

“We spoke often about giving something back,” Duncan’s mother Michelle said.

“This is what he wanted before he died. Before we knew that we were going to lose him we talked a lot about giving something back to cancer, in some capacity, each year.”

The Waters family will hold a bonfire and fireworks night with food stalls provided by the local Wee Jasper Valley Association.

Funds raised from the fireworks will be donated equally between Cancer Council and Can Assist Yass in honour of Duncan Waters.

Duncan’s desire before he passed away was to focus on awareness and bring the uncomfortable issues to the foreground amongst his peers.

“Awareness was our biggest thing, without money we weren’t able to do a lot. The fundraiser is for us to put the money back into research for testicular cancer, which is why we chose the Cancer Council, and to Can  Assist, so they could continue to support the families in Yass with cancer,” she said.

Treatments for testicular cancer are the same now as they were at the end of WW2. While the mortality rate for testicular cancer is not high, the problem lies with the metastasis, or spread of cancer from the place of origin to another part of the body.

“That’s why we need to get the awareness out there. So these young men are talking about their bits now, as well as in 20, 30 or 40 years,” she continued.

“This is what he wanted, for us to promote and talk about it and get it out there, not just this year, but for many years to come. We do not want his death to be in vain.”

“While some people may not agree with the funds going to the Cancer Council or Can  Assist, now we have been involved with cancer we know that you need both. We have decided that the funds raised go to both Can Assist and the Cancer Council as there is no cure for cancer and people need financial assistance while they are on their journey.”

With overwhelming support from the community already, Michelle and Michael both hope that it will be a success.

“The community has already done so much to support us and we are always so grateful and lucky to live in such a great community,” she said.

The community is invited out to Wee Jasper on Saturday night for a night of spectacle, with tickets for fireworks $5 per person. Camping fees apply, $10 per adult, per night with children 16 years and under are free.