Latest news with #BarryDuBois
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
'It pulled me out of the darkness': Channel 10's Barry Du Bois says the words 'I'm not okay' helped save his life, and could save countless others
Barry Du Bois has weathered more storms than most- the death of his mother, a debilitating back injury, years of unsuccessful IVF, the loss of a pregnancy, his wife Leonie's cervical cancer diagnosis, and his own battle with an incurable blood cancer. But Channel 10's The Living Room co-host says one of the most important lessons he's learned through it all is the power of a few simple words: "I'm not okay." "My mental health unravelled after those years of heartbreak," Du Bois told "I spiralled into a very lonely, low place. I even contemplated ending my life. But a friend encouraged me to open up - and that conversation pulled me back." At 65 years old, Du Bois is living with multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable type of blood cancer. He was initially diagnosed in 2010 with solitary plasmacytoma, another rare form of blood cancer. This diagnosis progressed to myeloma in 2017, a condition that impacts the immune system while attacking the bone marrow. Eight years later, he continues to defy the odds, and he's using his platform to inspire others to speak up before they hit crisis point. "I know personally, when you realise that people will support you, that's when your journey out of that darkness starts to happen," he said. That philosophy is why Du Bois has joined the Heart on My Sleeve "I'm Not Okay" campaign, founded by mental health advocate Mitch Wallis. The initiative urges Australians not to wait to be asked if they're struggling. Instead, they're encouraged to put their heart on their sleeve, literally, and say it out loud. Alongside Du Bois, the campaign's ambassador line-up includes world champion surfer Layne Beachley, TV host David Koch, NRL star Kieran Foran, actor Sharon Johal, ironman Guy Leech, Gogglebox's Jad Nehmetallah, entertainment reporter Richard Reid and journalist Antoinette Lattouf. The father-of-two, who is also a proud ambassador and board member of R U OK? Day, said his work with Heart on My Sleeve is "incredibly complementary". "I think (the campaign) really complements what I do at R U OK? Day," he said. "One encourages people to check in on their loved ones and the other encourages people to speak up. Really, it's all about strengthening society and understanding the value of emotion, the positive and the negative, and not being afraid to share the tough stuff." Du Bois admitted that was not something he learned growing up. "I was raised not to show your emotions, and that took me to a very, very dark place," he said. "So now I'm incredibly passionate about telling people that they can be brave enough to show their emotions." As the proud father of 13-year-old twins, Bennett and Arabella, he's determined they'll always feel "heard". "So many children, in the busy lives that we have today, don't feel heard by their parents," he said. "The first reason is that parents often… speak in a solution-based conversation. "They see that there's a problem and the parent wants to solve it. "And when you've got a child that craves autonomy or craves independence… You telling them what they should do doesn't help." Instead, he says, parents should create conversations "where you're both learning something". Without that, kids may look elsewhere, often to social media, for validation and connection. From his own experience, Du Bois knows that perspective matters- not just for kids, but for carers. Supporting Leonie through her cancer battle gave him a new understanding of the toll it can take. "When you're a carer, you're going through something that's called borrowed trauma," he said. "You're dealing with the trauma of others as well as your own trauma, and it's really important to make sure that we get some reprieve from that. "We have to make sure our personal cup of empathy is full. We need to care for ourselves so that we can care for others." Looking back, he admits: "I refused to share the emotion and pain I was in. I sort of resented caring for myself because I believed others needed it more. But that's just not a balanced way to think." And for those facing their own illness or cancer battle, Du Bois has a simple message. "So often in this world, particularly in the medical industry, they do give up as a number, but we're not," he said. "Never give up believing there's an opportunity to do better. "Be curious about every possibility there is- new treatments, lifestyle changes, support networks. We're not defined by the diagnosis we have today, but by how we get up and thrive after it." For Du Bois, joining I'm Not Okay is another step in what he calls putting "grains of sand" in front of the wrecking ball of mental ill-health- small but vital acts of advocacy and connection. "I believe, as a modern day elder (that's how I describe myself these days) it's our duty to be as curious and to be as aware on how we can how it can improve society and how we can strengthen society," said. "Because if we're vigilant to constantly change for the better society, that means my children will have a place where they'll be able to thrive and where they will have their best opportunities."
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
MasterChef star Amina Elshafei reveals devastating health diagnosis
MasterChef Australia star Amina Elshafei is battling a devastating autoimmune disease. The beloved reality TV star shared the news on Instagram on Sunday evening, alongside a gallery of images, hoping to bring awareness to the crippling condition. 'For the last 18 months, I've been treated with a newly diagnosed condition called myasthenia gravis,' she wrote alongside the carousel, adding that June was Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month. Amina went on to thank her healthcare providers. 'Thank you to my amazing specialists, especially my neurologist, the beautiful nurses at the dialysis and day infusion units at Royal North Shore Hospital.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She continued: 'And to all the blood donors who humbly share the gift of their blood to help others like myself get treatments dependent on blood products and to provide blood products in emergencies.' Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty with everyday tasks like speaking, swallowing, and walking. There's no cure, according to the Mayo Clinic. It wasn't long before the post was showered in well wishes. 'Stay strong and get well soon. Thank you for the awareness about this disease,' wrote TV star Barry Du Bois. 'Ohhhh my love!!!! So much love and power to you!!! ❤️❤️❤️,' added MasterChef star Sarah Tiong. 'Thank you for sharing this with us, sending you so many positive vibes and wishing you the best with your health,' commented a fan. 'Sorry to hear this news sis. Sending healing vibes and love your way ❤️,' added one more. 'Sending strength! ❤️ love and health!' wrote another. Amina rose to fame on season four of MasterChef Australia in 2012. She returned to the kitchen to compete in the 2020 season, Back to Win. Amina is a mother to two young children, and works as a paediatric nurse. Born in Saudi Arabia to a South Korean mother and Egyptian father, Amina and her family immigrated to Australia in 1989 to start a new life.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Channel 10 star Barry Du Bois reveals what saved his life amid his ongoing cancer battle after he was told he had 'three months to live'
Barry Du Bois has revealed the the one thing which saved his life after he was given just 'three months to live' following a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis in 2017. The Channel Ten star, 64, beat the odds when he was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma Myeloma—a rare and incurable cancer of the immune system. Despite doctors giving him only months to live, Barry continues to live life to the fullest 16 years later and credits 'early detection' as his saving grace, he revealed on Jonesy & Amanda on Wednesday. 'Early detection is a really important thing,' he told Gold 101.7 hosts Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller. 'If you're not feeling that well physically, get it checked out. Get that blood test. An early blood test is one of the reasons I am here 16 years later.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'If I hadn't taken it up, then maybe three months later [death] would have happened. An early blood test is one of the things that saved me,' he continued. It comes after the former Living Room host penned an emotional essay for The Gold Coast Bulletin on Tuesday, which detailed his journey with trauma, depression and incurable cancer. The Sydney-born presenter said each painful chapter has helped him develop the positive mindset that keeps him going today. 'I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife's hand holding mine... then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live,' he wrote. But instead of accepting that grim prognosis, Barry leaned on something far stronger—his own lived experience. 'They were unaware I'd already been through things that break most people,' he added. From falling 14 metres off a roof and breaking his back, to enduring years of IVF heartbreak with wife Leonie—including a devastating miscarriage—Barry has known profound physical and emotional pain. He said he felt 'lost and empty' because 'anyone that loved me was being punished'. Two weeks after their miscarriage, Leonie was diagnosed with cervical cancer. And while she stayed strong during treatment, Barry spiralled into depression. 'I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness… depression is a lonely state and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness,' he wrote. But it was Leonie who helped him find his way back. Barry said his wife helped him find 'purpose, connection and a sense of belonging' again as he continues his battle against cancer. He credits that period of reflection and emotional healing for giving him the strength to fight back when he was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma Myeloma in 2017. 'So when I got my diagnosis—incurable cancer, three months to live—I didn't fall apart... I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life I had the resilience to give the fight of my life.'
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Channel 10 star Barry Du Bois reveals harrowing moment he was given ‘three months to live'
Channel 10 presenter Barry Du Bois has penned an emotional essay about his ongoing cancer battle, revealing a doctor once told him he had 'three months to live'. The father of two was first diagnosed in 2010 with solitary plasmacytoma, a rare form of blood cancer. That diagnosis later progressed to myeloma in 2017, which is an incurable cancer that affects the immune system and attacks bone marrow. 'I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife's hand holding mine … then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live,' he penned in letter for The Gold Coast Bulletin, recalling his earlier diagnosis. It wasn't the first time the presenter has had to deal with medical setbacks. He had previously broken his back after falling 14 metres from a roof, and later went through years of failed IVF treatment with his wife, Leonie, which included a miscarriage and her own cancer diagnosis just two weeks later. He credits all those personal battles to his ongoing cancer fight, continuing to spend as much time with his beloved family as possible. 'When I got my diagnosis – incurable cancer, three months to live – I didn't fall apart … I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life I had the resilience to give the fight of my life,' Du Bois said. But that hadn't always been the case. After his wife's miscarriage and cancer diagnosis, Du Bois initially struggled to find a way to go on. 'I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness … depression is a lonely state and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness.' But in the end his family helped to pull him through, and he's since used the positive outlook to give him the strength to keep going. Du Bois first appeared on Aussie screens in 2011 as a contestant on The Renovators, before joining Amanda Keller, Dr Chris Brown and Miguel Maestre as a co-host on The Living Room. He's been very vocal about his cancer journey over the last decade, regularly sharing inspiring updates and honest confessions on his social media platforms with fans as he continues to beat his initial devastating prognosis handed to him. 'I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the unknown,' he said earlier this year of his diagnosis. 'But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn't going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.'
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Channel 10 star Barry Du Bois reveals the emotional moment he was told he had 'three months to live' amid ongoing cancer battle
Barry Du Bois has revealed how he remains optimistic during his ongoing cancer battle. The former Living Room host, 63, penned an emotional essay for The Gold Coast Bulletin on Tuesday in which he opened up about his journey of trauma, depression and incurable cancer. The Sydney-born presenter revealed how each painful chapter has helped him develop the positive mindset that keeps him going today. 'I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife's hand holding mine... Then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live,' he wrote. But instead of accepting that grim prognosis, Barry leaned on something far stronger - his own lived experience. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'They were unaware I'd already been through things that break most people,' he added. From falling 14 metres off a roof and breaking his back, to enduring years of IVF heartbreak with wife Leonie - including a devastating miscarriage - Barry has known profound physical and emotional pain. He said he felt 'lost and empty' because 'anyone that loved me was being punished.' Two weeks after their miscarriage, Leonie was diagnosed with cervical cancer. And while she stayed strong during treatment, Barry spiralled into depression. 'I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness… Depression is a lonely state and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness,' he wrote. But it was Leonie who helped him find his way back. Barry said his wife helped him find 'purpose, connection and a sense of belonging' again. He credits that period of reflection and emotional healing for giving him the strength to fight back when he was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma Myeloma - a rare and incurable cancer of the immune system - in 2017. Barry said his wife Leonie helped him find 'purpose, connection and a sense of belonging' again. Pictured Barry and Leonie with their twins Bennett and Arabella 'So when I got my diagnosis - incurable cancer, three months to live - I didn't fall apart... I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life I had the resilience to give the fight of my life.' He now focuses daily on the things he can control: Mindset, nutrition, movement and connection. It comes after Barry offered a heartfelt update amid his ongoing cancer battle. He took to social media in March to reflect on his years-long battle with Plasmacytoma Myeloma. In an emotional post, Barry shared a candid beachside photo of himself smiling and relaxed while sitting barefoot on the sand, dressed casually in a white t-shirt and matching white shorts. Alongside the image, Barry also posted a poignant photo of a blue surgical glove with the handwritten words: 'Just because you're struggling doesn't mean you're failing.'
