Consumer Affairs Victoria is looking into the Melbourne founder of a popular health and wellbeing phone app, who claims alternative therapies kept her aggressive brain cancer at bay.
Belle Gibson said she was inspired to launch The Whole Pantry recipe app in 2013 after being diagnosed with a terminal, malignant brain cancer in 2009 and told she had months to live.
Gibson, 26, claimed that by shunning conventional medical treatment, including chemotherapy, and instead embarking on a healthy, whole-food diet, she managed to keep the cancer in check.
She developed the app to share her health and wellbeing tips, as well as shopping lists and recipe ideas.
But on Monday, Fairfax Media reported that despite her public claims to have donated $300,000 from app sales to various charities, Gibson admitted the money was never handed over.
The Whole Pantry app sells for $3.79 and has been downloaded 300,000 times, and led to the release of Gibson’s first recipe book, published last year.
In a post published to its Facebook wall, The Whole Pantry blamed “cashflow” problems for the lack of donations.
“The Whole Pantry forecasted income in October 2014, which was not fulfilled, creating cashflow issues and unforeseen delays on finalising three discussed charitable donations,” the statement said.
“All charities have been openly communicated with and are aware of our intentions to uphold this financial support when the necessary keepings of the business are finalised.”
Gibson did not respond to an email request from Guardian Australia for comment.
A Consumer Affairs Victoria spokeswoman said inquiries were now being made about Gibson and her associated companies.
The nature of any fundraising appeals, including details of beneficiaries and net proceeds given, were all being examined, the spokeswoman said.
“Once we ascertain the facts, Consumer Affairs Victoria will be able to make an assessment of the situation and determine whether any further action is appropriate,” she said.
Meanwhile, News Corp reported on Monday that questions were being raised over Gibson’s cancer claims.
Gibson last year said she had been diagnosed with cancers of the liver, kidney, uterus, spleen and blood.
“With frustration and ache in my heart, my beautiful, game-changing community, it hurts me to find space tonight to let you all know with love and strength that I’ve been diagnosed with a third and forth [sic] cancer,” she said in an Instagram post which has since been removed.
“One is secondary and the other is primary.
“I have cancer in my blood, spleen, brain, uterus, and liver. I am hurting.”
But in an interview with the Australian published on Tuesday, Gibson admitted the diagnosis of multiple cancers may have been wrong.
The cancers were misdiagnosed by a “magnetic therapy” doctor from Germany, who Gibson refused to name in the interview.
However, she maintained that her diagnosis of brain cancer was legitimate, though she did not reveal any of her medical records.
“It’s hard to admit that maybe you were wrong,” she said.
Earlier this month, health experts warned of the dangers of following unproven treatments to treat serious illnesses following the death of 26-year-old blogger and cancer patient, Jessica Ainscough, who died after embarking on a regime of alternative therapies.