Supporting courage, awareness and emotional wellbeing
January 21st 2026
At Phillips Wellbeing, we believe that caring for emotional wellbeing is just as important as treating physical illness. That belief is at the heart of our decision to donate £10,000 to Bowel Cancer UK, supporting their vital work to raise awareness, improve early diagnosis and provide life-changing support to people affected by bowel cancer.
This donation has been inspired by the extraordinary courage of Katie Ruddock, a young mum whose experience has sparked important conversations about bowel cancer in younger people, the need to recognise symptoms early, and the role emotional support plays alongside medical treatment.
Katie was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year at just 29 years old, only months after giving birth to her daughter. Like so many young people, bowel cancer was not something she ever imagined would affect her. Katie has refused to be defined by her diagnosis. Following intensive chemotherapy and major surgery, she now lives with a stoma bag, which doctors are hopeful can be reversed. More importantly, she has begun an advocacy journey focused on helping others feel less alone, encouraging people to trust their instincts, and raising awareness that bowel cancer does not always fit a “typical” profile.
For Wayne Phillips, co-founder of Phillips Wellbeing, cancer is a deeply personal cause. His mother passed away from cancer in 2023, an experience that reinforced how frightening, isolating and emotionally overwhelming a diagnosis can be for individuals and families.
“Cancer affects so many of us, often when we least expect it,” Wayne said. “Losing my mum is something that will always stay with me, and it reinforced just how important emotional support is at every stage of the journey.
"Katie’s story really moved us and reminded us why these conversations matter. This donation is our way of supporting the incredible work Bowel Cancer UK does, while encouraging people to look after their emotional wellbeing as well as their physical health.”
For Tracy Phillips, co-founder of Phillips Wellbeing, supporting Katie through such a challenging time has been a powerful reminder of why a whole-person approach to care matters so deeply.
“Katie’s experience highlights the need for greater awareness of symptoms and better emotional support alongside medical care,” Tracy said. “We are proud to support Bowel Cancer UK and the vital work they do for individuals and families navigating diagnosis and treatment.”
Katie describes this moment as the beginning of her advocacy journey for young people affected by bowel cancer. “I’m incredibly honoured to stand alongside Tracy and Wayne as they present this £10,000 donation to Bowel Cancer UK,” she said. “It will make a real difference to people navigating diagnosis and treatment.
"I was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer just one week before my 30th birthday and six months after having my little girl. My diagnosis came later than it should have, and I’m passionate about raising awareness so others feel empowered to speak up, trust their bodies and seek help at any age.”
Katie is the daughter of former Wales rugby coach Mike Ruddock OBE, who has spoken openly about the emotional impact her diagnosis had on their family. “Seeing Katie smiling today truly means the world to me,” he said. “She has shown incredible resilience and determination through an unimaginably difficult time.
"My own father died of bowel cancer, so I knew how serious this battle could be. Katie’s strength and her desire to share her story could genuinely help save lives.”
At Bowel Cancer UK, the impact of support like this is clear. More than 2,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales each year, and early diagnosis can make a life-changing difference.
Michael Locke, Wales Fundraising Manager at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Phillips Wellbeing for this generous £10,000 donation. Support like this enables us to raise awareness, fund vital services and ensure more people affected by bowel cancer can access the information and support they need.
"Sharing real stories like Katie’s plays a crucial role in helping people recognise symptoms sooner and feel less alone.”
For us at Phillips Wellbeing, this donation reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting emotional wellbeing at every stage of life’s most difficult moments. We are proud to stand alongside
Katie and Bowel Cancer UK, helping to raise awareness, encourage early action and remind people that emotional support matters.