Australian reality television personality Rod Manning, best known for his role on the Discovery Channel series Outback Opal Hunters, has been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. The 53-year-old miner shared the heartbreaking news with fans via a social media video earlier this week, explaining that the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes.
Manning's Emotional Announcement
In the clip, Manning began, "G'day viewers, not really sure how to start this but I owe it to you since a lot of you have been with me since day one. I have been diagnosed with cancer." He went on to reveal that his health battle has forced him to reduce his opal mining activities as he focuses on recovery. "I got stage four bowel cancer, it is in the lymph nodes, so I have not been able to do a lot of mining. I got a couple of real good mates who have jumped in to help me out... unfortunately, everything is breaking down," he said.
Despite the grim diagnosis, Manning maintained his characteristic humour. "I was pretty lucky. The chemo I am on doesn't make facial hair fall out!" he quipped, referring to his bushy beard. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of treatment: "The chemo and radiation hasn't been much fun, it knocks you round a fair bit." He added that while the odds given to him are not fantastic, he remains optimistic: "I have beaten better odds before so I am not that worried about it."
Community Support Through GoFundMe
Manning's family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses, with a target of $90,000. At the time of writing, over $86,000 had been raised, reaching 97% of the goal. The page describes Manning as a "proud, hardworking man who would never ask for help himself" and notes that the constant travel to and from hospital, medical bills, and physical strain have taken a heavy toll.
About Outback Opal Hunters
Outback Opal Hunters premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2018 and follows rugged miners as they search for precious opals in some of Australia's most remote and harsh regions, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Produced by Prospero Productions, the high-stakes factual series has become a global hit, airing in over 100 countries including the UK and US. It earned a Best Documentary Series nomination at the 2018 Screen Producers Australia Awards and is considered one of Australia's most successful factual television exports.
