Former Australian Idol contestant Courtney Murphy diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer
Much-loved musician Courtney Murphy has been diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer, his family have revealed.
Mr Murphy burst to national attention when he stormed into contention on the second season of Australian Idol in 2004, eventually finishing third behind winner Casey Donovan and runner-up Anthony Callea.
He has been a stalwart of the Perth music scene ever since, while also landing a role in the Queen musical We Will Rock You.
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Courtney’s brothers, Kieran and Chris, said the self-employed musician always felt so privileged to make a living off music.
But the full-time treatment required to battle his illness means he cannot work or perform.
“It’s how he supports his wife and three young children,” Kieran said.
“Whether you remember him from Idol, on stage in We Will Rock You or even from the pub circuit with Murphy’s Lore or The Murphy Brothers, I think it’s fair to say Court’s big voice and signature grin are pretty well known to West Aussies.
“But the advanced nature of his cancer means he needs full-time treatment and can no longer work — that’s why we’ve set up a GoFundMe.”
Tragically, the news of the Mr Murphy’s diagnosis comes off the back of the death of his own father earlier this year.
“We lost our Dad in January to a brain tumour,” Chris said.
“Now Court is fighting for his own life.”
The family have set up a GoFundMe page to help support Mr Murphy’s young family as he embarks on his biggest battle.
“Anyone who knows him knows his heart is as big as his voice and by setting up this GoFundMe, we’re hoping to ease some of the burden on Courtney’s beautiful family,” Chris said.
Any funds generated will go directly to Courtney Murphy, his wife Jane and their three children.
“Anyone who knows Courtney knows that his heart is as a big as his voice and we’ve set up this GoFundMe page in the hope that we can ease some of the burden on his young family,” Kieran said.
Within an hour of launching, the GoFundMe had raised more than $8000.
To donate: https://gofund.me/34cd3c18
