Brendan Donlon is Co-Chair and a founding member of Bowel Cancer Ireland. This charity is patient-led and focuses on awareness, advocacy, and peer support for colorectal cancers. He was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer at 48, with no awareness that it was advisable, let alone possible, to screen for this cancer. Speaking publicly about his early-onset diagnosis helped others in similar situations find him. These connections were the foundation of Bowel Cancer Ireland. He has campaigned with the Marie Keating Foundation since 2023 to lower the BowelScreen age, culminating in April 2026 with the Minister for Health's commitment to lower the screening age to 50. Brendan has 35 years of expertise in communications strategy from running his own agency, Donlon Brands.