By Kirstie Fitzgerald
When 34-year-old Port Melbourne Colts favourite Marcel Bouchaud collapsed on his way home from a workout at his local gym in November last year, he was told he had a heart problem.
Admitted to hospital less than two months later after suffering a more significant seizure, he was told there was a possibility of epilepsy.
However it was not until undergoing scans that the former Colts player was told he had a stage three brain tumour in the form of anaplastic astrocytoma.
Since undergoing an operation earlier this year to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging his speech and eyesight, the Port Colts Football Club decided to run a fundraiser for him in March.
“Marcel is a terrific clubman and friend to many at the Colts,” senior coach Brad Julier said.
“He has a great attitude towards everything he does and brings energy both on and off the field.
“Our fundraising event in March was to benefit him during his treatment, which was a great success.”
Three months later, the Port Colts Football Club is once again showing its support by dedicating their Round 9 clash with a Beanie for Brain Cancer event on Saturday June 13.
In 2015, around 1,820 Australians (1,080 men and 740 women) are expected to be diagnosed with brain cancer.
Found more commonly in men, the rate of the disease is set to increase, with an estimated 2,055 Australians expected to be diagnosed with brain cancer by 2020.
Known by many at the club as “Bird”, Marcel is not alone in his fight and while overwhelmed by the support he received from the club at the start of the season, wants today’s event to be more about raising awareness for the disease.
“We are hoping to achieve awareness surrounding brain cancer, with all proceeds raised going directly to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation,” Julier said.
“Brain cancer is one of the biggest cancer killers for people under 40 years old, which is essentially the demographic of our footy club.
“It is also the least funded disease, so hopefully we can raise some funds to make a difference for somebody suffering the same thing as Bird along the way.”
The day will kick off with an official luncheon with special guest speaker Dr John Tickell who will talk about his own battle with the disease and his survival.
Bird Beanies will also be available for purchase on the day, in order to raise awareness into the disease in a similar way TV personality Carrie Bickmore did during her acceptance speech at the Logies last month.
A week and a half out from the event, the club has already sold more than 150 beanies and has had a large influx of requests for more.
“We urge everyone attending the game to wear a beanie on the day and take a photo and share it on social media using the hashtag #Beanie4cancer or #beanie4bird,” Julier said.
“Even if you aren’t at the game, take a photo of yourself with your beanie and just spread the word on social media as the more awareness we can raise the better.”
Players from the Port Colts and St. Albans Football Club will also show their support and wear beanies on the day as they run through the a shared banner.
“Similar to how Essendon and Collingwood unite as one and run through the banner on Anzac Day, all senior players from both clubs will run through a special Beanie for Brain Cancer banner wearing beanies,” Colts president Ben Brown said.
“All the players have really gotten behind the initiative and the support we have received from the St. Albans Football Club and its president Gus Jimenez has been outstanding.
“While we are fierce rivals on the field, its time like this when you can put those differences aside and come together for a good cause.”
Donations can be made on the day with beanies available for purchase for $20, with all money raised going to brain cancer research and education.
For more information on the event, visit the Facebook page Beanie4Cancer.
Last Modified on 10/06/2015 10:59