Lealiifano diagnosed with Leukaemia

Lealiifano diagnosed with Leukaemia

AAP on August 6, 2016, 9:24 am

Wallabies back Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with Leukaemia.

The Brumbies co-captain, who was not named in the Wallabies squad on Friday is currently in hospital receiving treatment.

The Brumbies said, in a statement, that after a brief illness, investigations revealed the disease.

"At the moment it's just a matter of ensuring Christian receives the best care and support he can at this time," Brumbies chief Phil Thomson said.

"He is one of the most respected players within this group and this news has come as a huge shock to all of our players, coaches and staff.

"Everyone knows that Christian is an amazing young man, an important member of this team and of the Canberra community."

ARU boss Bill Pulver, who is in Rio to watch the Aussie Sevens team at the Olympics also gave Lealiifano his full support.

"We were shocked to receive the news of Christian's diagnosis yesterday and our thoughts are firmly with him as he begins his treatment,"Pulver said via a statement.

"Anyone who has ever had any involvement with Christian knows he is an outstanding young man, as well as being an exceptionally talented rugby player, and the ARU will do whatever it can to support Christian and his family now and throughout his treatment."
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...ukaemia/#page1

I wish all the best to Christian and his family and hopefully he has a quick and speedy recovery and we see him back on the field as soon as possible.

Shocked to hear the news, thoughts and prayers with him and his family

FFS! Fuck cancer.

I'm So sorry to hear this I hope he will be ok.. Tough time ahead for him and his family

Well that's shit news. I hope he pulls through and we see him back in a Rugby field.

Awful news. Hoping to see a speedy recovery.

Awww shit that's sad news. Just had a son too. All the best to Christian and his family 😔

Shocking news Hope it turns out ok for him

David Pocock, Matt Giteau, Will Genia and Matt Toomua shave their heads to support Christian Lealiifano

TAKE a bow, David Pocock, Matt Giteau, Will Genia and Matt Toomua.

The four Wallabies stars will run out for the Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand on Saturday with shaved heads in honour of Christian Lealiifano after his leukaemia diagnosis.

Lealiifano, who played for Australia in their 3-0 Test series defeat by England, is currently undergoing chemotherapy in a Canberra hospital after the news of his illness was revealed two weeks ago.

The 28-year-old Lealiifano has been inundated with messages of support from all over the world in the past fortnight, and he’s sure to be touched by the gesture of his Wallabies teammates.

Many players in Michael Cheika’s squad have visited Lealiifano in hospital in the past couple of weeks ahead of their bid to end Australia’s 13-year Bledisloe Cup drought.

“He (Lealiifano) is one of us, one of the boys, so he’s always in our thoughts and our prayers,” Genia said.

“He’s a good bloke, so the guys will definitely have him in their thoughts when we get out there on Saturday.”

Giteau said “it’s the least we could do. Always thinking of you” in a message on Twitter.

Pocock took to Twitter to show off an image of himself and Toomua with their bald heads.

Pocock had earlier this month tweeted his devastation at the news of Lealiifano’s illness.

Australian captain Stephen Moore, who like Pocock plays alongside Lealiifano at the Brumbies, said the Wallabies support of their stricken teammate is unconditional.

“When someone goes through this type of thing I think it’s important for everyone to get around them and that’s going to continue right throughout however long this takes for him to shake it,” Moore said.

“We’re really behind him 100 per cent and we’re there for him all the time. Different people handle it differently and once again being part of a team you have that support network around you and we know that Christian’s been a great friend and a great teammate for all of us here. We’re travelling the entire journey with him.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/da...c3d484acd6ab2d

Congratulations to Lealiifano who won the brumbies players player award and the best back award for the brumbies. After what has happened to him he deserves this.

Brett Robinson Player’s Player Award – Christian Lealiifano
Best Back – Christian Lealiifano
Best Forward – Sam Carter
Stallion of the Year, Supporters’ Choice – Scott Fardy
Shawn Mackay Most Outstanding Young Talent – Tom Staniforth
Canberra Milk Community Player – Robbie Abel
Garry Quinlivan Service – Deon Norval

Christian Lealiifano set for bone marrow transplant after positive match with sister

AAP

CHRISTIAN Lealiifano will receive a bone-marrow transplant from his sister as he continues his recovery from leukaemia.

The Wallabies and Brumbies star is preparing for the transplant next month having undergone two rounds of chemotherapy after being diagnosed in August.

“Luckily enough for me my younger sister is a match,” Lealiifano told the ABC.

“For the family, that is quite a special thing and for your sister to give you the gift of trying to save your life, it’s quite special.”

The playmaker has accepted he may never play rugby again even if he fully recovers, despite admitting his diagnosis had come as a “big shock”.

“I hope one day to be able to run out there on the field, whether that be club footy,” he said.

“If not, I’m happy to accept that as well.”

The world sporting community rallied around Lealiifano after his diagnosis in August.

He acknowledged the next period of his treatment would be a daily battle.

“I’ve had two treatments of chemotherapy which have pretty much put me in remission going into this transplant,” he said.

“Both bouts I got infections ... because you’ve got no immune system.”

But he was positive the transplant would be successful.

“I’m young, pretty fit and I’ve got a suitable match,” he said.

“One thing they can’t guarantee is that everyone will be cured, but it gives you every chance of beating it.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/ch...8b42117ed5e0ef

Keep fighting the battle Christian. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

It's a really tough & scary fight to have to face, glad that he has plenty of family and mates to give support. Go hard Chris.