A young bartender who has 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, New South Wales, has been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare and incurable cancer that will take his life.
Friends and family have created a GoFundMe to raise money for Mr Bulman so he can achieve his life goals, with almost half of the $50,000 already raised.
Among his wishes are a trip to the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo, a helicopter ride, learning to surf and getting his family together for a photo shoot.
Two companies have already told Daily Mail Australia they would be willing to help Bulman cross some of the requests off his wish list.
Illawarra Surf Academy has committed a free learn to surf session and Translucent Photography has offered to organize the family photo session free of charge.
Bulman works at the Illawarra Hotel and her boss, Nikki Aitchison, is the organizer of the online fundraiser titled: ‘Bulman’s Bucket List’.
She said support had already exceeded expectations and was stunned after this publication informed her that two companies had already offered their services.
A young bartender who has just 18 months to live has captured hearts after creating a bucket list and vowing to live his remaining days to the fullest.
“It’s been mind-blowing and I feel like we haven’t touched the sides yet with our (fundraising) efforts,” he said.
‘Thank you very much for what you have done too. That’s amazing. You will be very grateful.
‘We are like a big family here. He has been working for us for almost four years after coming from Newcastle to study at the University of Wollongong.
“He has been raised wonderfully and is always there helping and supporting other people.”
A post on the GoFundMe page said his shock diagnosis came a few weeks ago, shortly 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 friend,” it said.
‘Bulman was in crippling pain. This turned into four days of vigorous and invasive testing. I was scared, in pain and incredibly tired.’
He was diagnosed with a rare and dangerous cancer a week later, after a series of tests.
Aitchison said Bulman, one of six siblings, had already started chemotherapy treatment to help buy him more time.
“It’s trying to maintain as much normality as possible,” he said.
Heartbroken mother Emily said the cancer had already invaded her son’s lymph nodes, starting in his lower digestive region.
Liam Bulman, 23, who lives in Wollongong, New South Wales, has been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare and incurable cancer that will take his life.
Liam Bulman has put together a bucket list that focuses on fun, family and adventure.
‘He has started six cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. “This will help us aim for longevity, quality of life, the opportunity to make memories, and receive the care and comfort that best suits Liam,” he wrote on the GoFundMe page.
He said the cost of attending medical trials could range from $20,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This would be in addition to other costs, he said, such as home palliative care equipment, adjustable bed, IV line, blood pressure cuff, oxygen monitor and physical therapy needs.
“Just these basic immediate medical and personal bills amount to just over $46,000,” he said.
‘This is without even giving him those life experiences he so richly deserves.
“Anything we can raise to help ease Liam’s burden we will be incredibly grateful.”