Fantastic news.
The rugby world was shook last summer when it was revealed that Australian rugby star, Christian Leali’ifano, has been diagnosed with leukaemia.
The 29-year-old has played in 19 Test matches for Australia and played for the Wallabies in their agonising series defeat to the British & Irish Lions in 2013.
The New Zealand born international received well wishes and support from all over the world but none so more than his Wallaby teammates who all shaved their heads in act of support.
Lovely show of support from David Pocock after teammate's Christian Lealiifano's recent leukaemia diagnosis pic.twitter.com/IXng1qKUa6
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 18, 2016
Leali’ifano attended a fan open day for his club side, The Brumbies, at the weekend which coincided with 100 days since his successful bone-marrow transplant in Melbourne and he revealed that his leukaemia is now in remission.
Leali’ifano told the Sydney Morning Herald of the challenges which he faced during the time of his treatment:
“Melbourne was tough… I had some really dark days where things got tough and all those negative thoughts come into your mind, the ‘why me’ and ‘should I just give up’ type stuff, but to be able to come out the other side of that has been quite an amazing thing.“
The 29-year-old hasn’t ruled out making a return to the rugby pitch and wants to add to his Super Rugby and International caps.
“The doctors said the transplant was a success and everything is looking good in there and the cancer isn’t showing up so I’m in remission at the moment but there is still a ways to go,” he said.
“It’s a massive milestone today [Saturday] because that’s the time frame they sort of give you, 100 days after the transplant gives you a rough idea of where you stand, so to be cancer-free is quite amazing and why I’ve got a big smile on my face.”
For Leali’ifano, for what he has overcome in the past number of months has been incredible and while he continues his recovery, he plans on helping out on the coaching side of things for The Brumbies.
