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Category: Media / Leukaemia / Olympics (Summer) / Australian Football League / Athletics / Sport

Commentator McAvaney reveals cancer battle

Friday, 17 Mar 2017 15:45:16

Bruce Mcavaney is a broadcasting legend for his AFL, horse racing and Olympic calling. (AAP: Joe Castro)

Top Australian sports caller Bruce McAvaney has revealed he has cancer.

The 64-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago after an abnormal blood test.

The illness was one of the reasons he did not call the Australian Open this year for the first time since 1990.

But McAvaney was quoted by News Corp on Friday as saying he continues to lead a complete life.

"It is quite strange to say I have leukaemia because I feel well," he said.

External Link: Joel Selwood tweet: Thoughts and best wishes are with the great Bruce McAvaney.

"Look, it could be very serious — it could jump out of the ground at any moment. I don't expect it will.

"But I'm living a complete life with no restrictions."

External Link: Quentin Hull tweet: Go well Bruce. Your camaraderie at the athletics in Rio will never be forgotten. Just like Mo, who had a stumble, you'll get up again.

The report said McAvaney has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

According to the Cancer Council website, CLL develops slowly and some people with the disease do not need any treatment.

External Link: Nat Medhurst tweet: Very sad news with Bruce McAvaney battling Cancer. Wishing him all the best with treatment.

But McAvaney said last year's busy schedule — AFL, the Rio Olympics and the spring racing carnival — had been the straw that broke the camel's back.

Despite having a break from Australian Open, and McAvaney might not return, he said he was looking forward to calling another AFL season.

"I can't give up the football as it is 26 weeks of heaven," he said.

McAvaney also plans to be calling at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

AAP

AustraliaPlus