parents to substitute juice and apple slices for fries and soft drinks for their children. The "Supersize" option was also eliminated. During his brief tenure, his initiatives resulted in a successful turnaround in McDonald's fortunes, with the stock price rising 24%. Bell was also responsible for introducing the McCafé, a coffeehouse franchise that serves gourmet coffee, cakes and pastries and premium teas. Illness and death Soon after becoming CEO, Bell was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had surgery on 7 May 2004, just over two weeks after taking over as CEO. He continued working for a time, but eventually resigned on 22 November 2004 to focus on the disease, which became incurable. Bell was succeeded by vice chairman Jim Skinner as CEO and by Michael Roberts as president. In December 2004, McDonald's paid $300,000 for the terminally-ill Bell to be returned to Australia in a specially equipped jet. He died shortly afterwards at his apartment in Sydney with his family around him. The deaths of Cantalupo and Bell, who died relatively young, have led some to wonder whether being an executive at a company which produced allegedly unhealthy food led to their illnesses, particularly as Bell was known to eat McDonald's products often. Similarly, two successive CEOs of Wendy's, Jim Near and Gordon Teter, died in their fifties of heart attacks. It is not known whether Bell's diet contributed to his cancer. Honours Bell was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in June 2005. The award was made retrospective to 17 June 2004. Other appointments Bell held the following appointments: Member of the Global Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities, serving until 2001. Member of the Business Council of Australia. Member of the advisory board of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation from 1993 to 1999. Chairman of the Small Business Deregulation Task Force, appointed by John Howard (Prime Minister of Australia) in 1996. Trustee of the Sydney Theatre Company, between 1997 and 2000. Director of the Pact Youth Theatre in Sydney, Australia between 1988 and 1997. References External links The Charlie Bell Scholarship Program Replacing former CEO Posthumous Posthumous by Hon. Alexander Downer, MP Estate Payout Dead Aussie McDonald's chief educated by the Marist Brothers 1960 births 2005 deaths Australian chief executives Australian food industry businesspeople Deaths from cancer in New South Wales Deaths from colorectal cancer McDonald's people Officers of the Order of Australia