‘Determined to beat it’: Collingwood president reveals cancer battle
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Collingwood President Jeff Browne, a prominent figure in the Australian Football League (AFL), has recently shared a heart-wrenching update on his ongoing battle with cancer.
This news has sent shockwaves through the AFL community and beyond, highlighting the harsh reality of this devastating disease.
The 72-year-old footy boss, who was diagnosed with myeloma last year, has revealed that his condition is currently incurable.
Myeloma, a type of blood cancer that originates from plasma cells in the bone marrow, is a formidable opponent.
Browne, also the father of renowned footy reporter Tom Browne, has likened his fight against the disease to the struggles his beloved football club faced.
‘It is presently incurable, and that's a shock to anybody,’ Browne said.
'It's like a football club. You know, you finished 17th two years ago, and you [won] the premiership two years later.’
‘If you fight hard, apply yourself, show discipline in your life and determination and believe, then good things happen,’ he added.
Despite the grim prognosis, Browne remained undeterred.
He has already undergone six rounds of chemotherapy cycles, with two more to go. His determination is unwavering, fuelled by his love for Collingwood.
'I'm determined to beat it...and I've got too much to do in my life,' he said.
'If I hit the wall, I'll hit it hard, and they'll have to scrape me off.'
Former AFL commentator Sandy Roberts also faced the same struggle as Browne as he revealed his battle with myeloma last year.
Roberts discovered he had myeloma in May 2022 after a fall at his home. He said that if he hadn’t fallen, ‘who knows what would have been the outcome’.
Browne's battle against cancer has brought to light a significant issue in the Australian healthcare system.
He has expressed frustration with the federal government's decision to defer public funding for CAR-T cell therapy or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, a treatment hailed as 'the future' of cancer treatment for myeloma patients.
It is a type of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T cells–a part of the immune system–to fight cancer.
The Medical Services Advisory Committee's decision angered hundreds of terminally ill patients like Browne.
'A delay of any number of years in making a decision to support this will mean thousands of Australians will die unnecessarily,' Browne said.
'I can't understand a reason for delaying a decision when the consequences are so dire if you don't do it.'
Have you or a loved one been affected by myeloma or another type of cancer? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Members, we acknowledge that dealing with a disease like cancer isn’t easy. For those in need of support, please consider reaching out to services like Cancer Council at 13 11 20 or visit their website here.
This news has sent shockwaves through the AFL community and beyond, highlighting the harsh reality of this devastating disease.
The 72-year-old footy boss, who was diagnosed with myeloma last year, has revealed that his condition is currently incurable.
Myeloma, a type of blood cancer that originates from plasma cells in the bone marrow, is a formidable opponent.
Collingwood President Jeff Browne revealed he has myeloma. Credit: Jeffrey Browne / LinkedIn
Browne, also the father of renowned footy reporter Tom Browne, has likened his fight against the disease to the struggles his beloved football club faced.
‘It is presently incurable, and that's a shock to anybody,’ Browne said.
'It's like a football club. You know, you finished 17th two years ago, and you [won] the premiership two years later.’
‘If you fight hard, apply yourself, show discipline in your life and determination and believe, then good things happen,’ he added.
Despite the grim prognosis, Browne remained undeterred.
He has already undergone six rounds of chemotherapy cycles, with two more to go. His determination is unwavering, fuelled by his love for Collingwood.
'I'm determined to beat it...and I've got too much to do in my life,' he said.
'If I hit the wall, I'll hit it hard, and they'll have to scrape me off.'
Former AFL commentator Sandy Roberts also faced the same struggle as Browne as he revealed his battle with myeloma last year.
Roberts discovered he had myeloma in May 2022 after a fall at his home. He said that if he hadn’t fallen, ‘who knows what would have been the outcome’.
Browne's battle against cancer has brought to light a significant issue in the Australian healthcare system.
He has expressed frustration with the federal government's decision to defer public funding for CAR-T cell therapy or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, a treatment hailed as 'the future' of cancer treatment for myeloma patients.
It is a type of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T cells–a part of the immune system–to fight cancer.
The Medical Services Advisory Committee's decision angered hundreds of terminally ill patients like Browne.
'A delay of any number of years in making a decision to support this will mean thousands of Australians will die unnecessarily,' Browne said.
'I can't understand a reason for delaying a decision when the consequences are so dire if you don't do it.'
Members, we acknowledge that dealing with a disease like cancer isn’t easy. For those in need of support, please consider reaching out to services like Cancer Council at 13 11 20 or visit their website here.
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are with Jeff Browne and his family
