Welcome to The Gut Foundation:
Australia's Leading Authority on Gut Health
Fighting GUT and DIGESTIVE disorders
Celebrating the legacy of our Founder:
Emeritus Professor Terry Bolin OAM
The Gut Foundation celebrates the legacy of its esteemed and much-loved founder and Emeritus President, A/Professor Terry Dorcen Bolin OAM, who sadly passed in early 2022.
AWARENESS PREVENTION
DETECTION TREATMENT
RESEARCH
New IBS Medical Study
Anatara Lifesciences are currently recruiting Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers for a clinical study
More than 40 years ago, Terry Bolin led a group of gastroenterologists in forming the Gut Foundation to promote greater public awareness and GP education of gut issues, disseminate evidence-based information about the gut, conduct and support relevant research and make representations to Government at all levels on gut health issues.
To this day the Foundation continues in all those roles and substantially due to Terry Bolin’s untiring efforts and advocacy, has established itself as a leading authority in its field.
Through it all, Terry has been friend and mentor, comfort and guide to countless Australians living with chronic and life-threatening gut problems including bowel cancer, irritable bowel disorder, Chron’s disease, coeliac disease, endometriosis and the many other disorders common in our community.
Always at the cutting edge of research and concerned to prevent rather than cure disease, Terry promoted a broad range of research from cancer to the microbiome........
READ MORE of Dr Ross Walker, President of the GUT Foundation's Tribute to Prof. Bolin
The GUT Foundation in the Media
8 March 2022
By Michael Woodhead in the Limbic
Associate Professor Bolin, former Head of Gastroenterology at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, founded the Gut Foundation in 1983 to promote greater public awareness and GP education around bowel diseases, particularly in relation to healthy diet.
He had clinical and research interests in lumenal gastroenterology in terms of acid reflux, malabsorption, colorectal cancer and Helicobacter pylori.
Famously, he was once likened to the manager who turned down the Beatles, because Associate Professor Bolin was secretary of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia in 1982 when he rejected a meeting abstract from a young Dr Barry Marshall who was proposing the revolutionary hypothesis that the bacterium H. pylori was the underlying cause of duodenal ulcers.
However as Associate Professor Bolin later told the ABC Science Show, the abstract was initially rejected because it contained no data and had missed the submission deadline.
He soon saw the significance of the results, not just for peptic ulcers, but also for the principle that gut bacteria could be a significant factor in many diseases.
Ray Hadley talks to Dr Ross Walker on 2GB regarding the passing of Prof Bolin
We're on a mission to improve
Australia's digestive health.
We all know someone who has or has had
-
-
- heartburn,
- diarrhoea,
- an ulcer,
- irritable bowel or Crohn’s disease,
- colitis, or even
- bowel cancer.
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And the rates are increasing.
Our goal is to prevent gastrointestinal diseases or conditions through research, increased awareness about the detection, treatment, and cure of gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.
Experiencing Gut or Digestive Issues?
Check out our library of symptoms and conditions for quick access to info and support.
Ray Hadley:
I mentioned earlier this week the passing of Prof. Terry Bolin OAM. I would get a call from Prof Bolin at least twice a year saying mate we need another yarn about GUT Health, about Bowel Cancer, we’ve got to get these blokes, you know, get to their GPS and their specialist. And the reason I spoke about Terry is he passed away on the 24th of February the age of 86. He was the founder of the GUT Foundation, and of course, just a fantastic man............
Fundraising
2022 GUT Foundation Melbourne Cup Fundraiser
The GUT Foundation held its Annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon on Tuesday 1st November at Doltone House which helped raise money for research and education into gut and digestive disorders including bowel cancer.
Amongst those Australians living with chronic and life threatening gut problems are 15,206 Australians who are told they have bowel cancer each year (293 a week), including 1,542 people under the age of 50. Bowel cancer claims the lives of 5,255 Australians every year (101 a week), including 292 people under the age of 50.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the lunch. The event raised over $17k. Also thank you the wonderful Effie for making us laugh and cry on the day.
Tax deductible donations can be made through the Donate Now Buttons on this website.
In the meantime, please watch the great video clip to enjoy the fun that was had on the day.
Ways to help continue Terry Bolin's Mission
Interested in helping us with our mission to improve Australia's digestive health, but not interested in donating (or want to support us even further?) There are many ways you can help...
Bowel Cancer
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- Did you know Bowel Cancel is the 2nd biggest cancer killer in Australia?
- Did you know if detected early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90% of cases?
- Protect yourself by taking a bowel cancer screening test kit.
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Watch Mario Fenech explain how to perform a bowel test using a home test kit in the video below.
Digestive Health
Latest Release:
Endometriosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Chronic Pelvic Plan
Events
Hold or attend an event to help support The Gut Foundation by raising awareness and funds.
Fundraise
Run a fundraising campaign with your work, community or school.
Partners
Become a corporate partner of the Gut Foundation or support our existing partners
Ambassadors
Learn more about our ambassadors and how you can get involved
Tributes to Prof. Bolin
From: Prof. Korman, Director Emeritus GE Unit at Monash Health
Terry Bolin was my best friend. We spoke to each other nearly every day. He was a giant of a man. His medical knowledge was vast , and more importantly , he had the ability and drive to impart and help promote gut health far and wide. It was an honor and privilege to have worked closely with him over many decades. Since the inception of the gut foundation Terry was tireless in his efforts to promote and educate the public and the medical profession in the prevention of bowel cancer as well as many other gastrointestinal problems. His vast personal experience , net working and superb communication skills were invaluable in his goals. Terry Bolin’s deep concern for our national health is his remarkable legacy which will live on forever.
Judi and I and the Korman family send our deepest condolences to his dear wife Robin, Simon , Nicholas and family.
Terry , you will be greatly missed by us all.
From: Professor Emad M El-Omar, Professor of Medicine
and Director, UNSW Microbiome Research Centre
I am very saddened by this news. May he rest in peace. He was a visionary and a great man and I was honoured to know him. He commanded such great respect, admiration and love. A life spent in giving to others and relieving suffering is a blessed life indeed.
From: Dr Eric Wegman, Clinical Gastroenterologist
A great man
A great teacher
A father of Gastroenterology.
A great legacy.
I will always cherish his memory.
From: Dr Fiona Nicholson, Consultant Gastroenterologist
I am saddened to hear this news.
Terry was an inspirational man and a lovely person.
Micheal Woodhead in the Limbic
(Cont'd) “Barry was very stubborn but he had this enormous self-belief that what he’d found was right, so he beavered away here and in the US,” Associate Professor Bolin explained.
“It took 10 years and there was a lot of opposition. There were meetings that became shouting matches.”
According to a tribute written by Dr Ross Walker for the Gut Foundation, Associate Professor Bolin had a distinguished 60-year career as a clinician, researcher and high profile advocate for gut health.
“Always at the cutting edge of research and concerned to prevent rather than cure disease, Terry promoted a broad range of research from cancer to the microbiome,” he writes.
“He used his personal knowledge, network and superb communication skills to elevate the issue of bowel screening to the national agenda. He identified the need to build broad-based community awareness of the fact that screening for bowel cancer, a preventable disease, was under-utilised and unsupported by community education. He personally led numerous public campaigns funded by the Gut Foundation to encourage regular bowel screening (FOBT and colonoscopy) and at an earlier age.”
Professor Bolin was the author of dozens of clinical papers as well as educational books and pamphlets on diet, nutrition and digestive conditions, including a cookbook, co-authored with nutritionist Rosemary Stanton, that aimed to help people with digestive problems.
“His published work includes a ground-breaking study in 2007 conducted at Prince of Wales hospital which identified significant malnutrition in elderly patients upon admission but showed that early intervention with a dietitian could dramatically reduce length of hospital stay and health costs,” the Foundation said
He also led regional community studies that showed better outcomes could be achieved in detecting and preventing bowel cancer through targeted GP information campaigns.
Associate Professor Bolin also initiated and oversaw the clinical program for a series of international meetings entitled The Tri-Nations conference in gastrointestinal and liver disease, bringing together experts from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to share latest research on gut health.
“Through it all, Terry has been friend and mentor, comfort and guide to countless Australians living with chronic and life-threatening gut problems including bowel cancer, irritable bowel disorder, Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, endometriosis and the many other disorders common in our community,” writes Dr Walker.
He was Consultant Emeritus Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital and Conjoint Associate Professor of Medicine University of NSW for many years and retired after 60 years of clinical practice in Randwick in 2016. In 2018 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to medicine in the field of gastroenterology.
“The Foundation extends its deepest sympathy to the Bolin family, particularly Terry’s devoted wife of 62 years, Robin. We mourn the loss of a great Australian.”
Dr Ross Walker, President of the GUT Foundation
(Cont'd) He used his personal knowledge, network and superb communication skills to elevate the issue of bowel screening to the national agenda. He identified the need to build broad-based community awareness of the fact that screening for bowel cancer, a preventable disease, was under-utilised and unsupported by community education. He personally led numerous public campaigns funded by the Gut Foundation to encourage regular bowel screening (FOBT and colonoscopy) and at an earlier age.
Throughout his 60-year career Terry authored dozens of clinical papers as well as educational books and pamphlets on diet, nutrition and digestive conditions. His published work includes a ground-breaking study in 2007 conducted at Prince of Wales hospital which identified significant malnutrition in elderly patients upon admission but showed that early intervention with a dietitian could dramatically reduce length of hospital stay and health costs.
With energy and enthusiasm, Terry extended his workoutside the consulting rooms and hospital wards to save many lives. He worked tirelessly with business leaders, media personalities, leading chefs and celebrities to host memorable events promoting and funding the work of the Gut Foundation.
Respected by parliamentarians and administrators alike, his years of campaigning for patients and public awareness will have a lasting impact on health policy in Australia. His legacy is undoubted and we will all sadly miss his precision of mind, easy humour and affability and his deep concern for our national health and well-being.
Regional community studies led by Prof Bolin and UNSW highlighted the fact that better outcomes could be achieved in detecting and preventing bowel cancer through targeted GP information campaigns.
Terry initiated and oversaw the clinical program for a series of international meetings entitled The Tri- Nations conference in gastrointestinal and liver disease, bringing together experts from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to share latest research on gut health.
Terry was Consultant Emeritus Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital and Conjoint Associate Prof of Medicine University of NSW for many years and retired after 60 years of clinical practice in Randwick in 2016.
In 2018 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to medicine in the field of gastroenterology.
With energy and enthusiasm, Terry extended his work outside the consulting rooms and hospital wards to save many lives.
He worked tirelessly with business leaders, media personalities, leading chefs and celebrities to host memorable events promoting and funding the work of the Gut Foundation.
Respected by parliamentarians and administrators alike, his years of campaigning for patients and public awareness will have a lasting impact on health policy in Australia. His legacy is undoubted and we will all sadly miss his precision of mind, easy humour and affability and his deep concern for our national health and well-being.
Terry is survived by Robin, also a champion of the Gut Foundation and sons Simon and Nicholas, their wives and 2 grandchildren.
We mourn the loss of a great Australian.
Dr Ross Walker
President, The GUT Foundation
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