Former Collingwood President Jeff Browne Announces Dramatic Cancer Remission
Jeff Browne, the former president of the Collingwood Football Club, has delivered an inspiring health update, declaring he is now in 'deep remission' and 'firing' after once being informed his blood cancer was incurable. The 71-year-old's remarkable turnaround follows an experimental antibody treatment that has rendered his latest blood tests disease negative.
A Stunning Diagnosis and Defiant Battle
Three years ago, Browne sent shockwaves through the Australian football community by confirming his diagnosis with myeloma, a form of blood cancer originating in the bone marrow. At the time, he publicly acknowledged the condition was 'presently incurable'. Despite this grim prognosis, Browne endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy while steadfastly leading the Magpies through their triumphant 2023 premiership season, refusing to let his health battle derail his professional commitments.
Breakthrough Treatment and Hopeful Results
The dramatic shift in Browne's health began after he attended the World Myeloma Conference in Toronto. There, he learned about promising trial results for a specific combination of antibodies. In November of last year, Browne commenced an experimental treatment regimen that included Teclistamab, a drug costing approximately $26,000 per month and not yet widely available on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
'I started a combination of the antibodies in November last year and that was a little bit experimental,' Browne explained to News Corp. 'After three months, blood tests are showing I'm disease negative, so it's worked.' He now describes feeling the best he ever has, stating, 'I'm at my peak right now, I've got so much to give. Feeling 100 per cent. You'll have me around for a while.'
From Personal Fight to Public Advocacy Mission
Browne's journey has evolved from a personal health struggle into a dedicated public advocacy campaign. As the chair of Myeloma Australia, he is now actively lobbying for broader access to Teclistamab and championing a significant shift in the language surrounding the disease. 'We are for the first time in probably the last six to 12 months starting to use the word cure, whereas previously it was not part of the vernacular,' he revealed.
He emphasises the broader economic imperative, noting, 'Myeloma in itself costs the Australian health system more than $7bn annually. If we can find a cure we can take that sort of pressure off government coffers and the health system. It's critically important.'
Football as a Pillar of Support During Treatment
Even at the lowest points of his treatment, including six rounds of chemotherapy in early 2024, Browne remained defiant and deeply connected to football. He famously declared the illness had 'picked the wrong body to locate itself (in)'. He credits the emotional support from Collingwood, including coach Craig McRae and the playing group, as being instrumental to his wellbeing, once stating a boundary-line embrace from players was 'better than any drugs they can give me'.
Browne stepped down from the Collingwood presidency at the end of 2024 after completing his three-year term but remains involved in football circles. He has also moved on from his bid to become AFL commission chairman, citing a frustrating process but expressing no regrets.
A Message of Hope and Resilience
Reflecting on his battle, Browne maintained an unwavering belief in his recovery. 'I knew I was going to beat it but it was a matter of how,' he said. His successful response to the experimental treatment now fuels his hope for others. 'The fact it's worked so well for me, I'm hoping others will take it on.' His story stands as a powerful testament to medical advancement, personal resilience, and the transformative power of hope in the face of a once-incurable diagnosis.
