The National Rugby League (NRL) is set to throw what it calls the 'world's biggest birthday party' for South Sydney Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow, as the league fulfills its promise to support the player battling motor neurone disease (MND). Arrow, 30, revealed his diagnosis on May 20 and is currently receiving treatment at a health centre in Spain.
Birthday Fundraiser and 'Jai July'
The NRL will ask fans to make donations instead of bringing presents to mark Arrow's birthday on July 12, when his Rabbitohs take on the Newcastle Knights. The league has also approved a proposal for 'Jai July', a month-long fundraising effort to support the former Queensland State of Origin star.
'We will throw the biggest birthday party in the world,' NRL supremo Peter V'landys said on Wednesday. 'It will be a huge occasion with the whole game involved. Don't bring presents. Bring a donation. This is a classic case of the game uniting behind our own. We are a family ... We have our differences in rugby league, but we never have our differences when one of our own needs help.'
Community and Club Support
The South Sydney club and the Rugby League Players' Association have both been involved in the birthday initiative and 'Jai July'. Souths will also pay tribute to Arrow's career when they play the Brisbane Broncos at home next Thursday night, and the club will hold a series of fundraising events.
Arrow's Treatment and Message
On Wednesday, Arrow – who has a one-year-old daughter Ayla with fiancée Berina Colakovic – posted a video showing him wearing a breathing apparatus and having his pulse taken while undergoing treatment in Spain. He went to Europe seeking treatment options not widely available in Australia and checked into the SHA Spain health optimisation clinic.
'It's the first step for me to mentally prepare for what is going to be a pretty hefty battle,' Arrow said. 'I'll be doing everything – hyperbaric chamber, diet, exercise. I am really looking forward to getting over there, learning and then coming home and getting stuck into this bastard. I'm going to get away from reality for a bit and then I'll come home and face the music.'
He added: 'It was hard (to say bye to Berina and Ayla) but I'm only going for a week. Having MND can be a bit confronting for her, but she understands and I'll be home soon. I want to help find a cure and inspire people. I'm going over there to get ready to fight for my life.'
Understanding MND
Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological condition that damages the nerve cells controlling movement, causing muscles to gradually weaken and waste away. As the disease advances, it can affect a person's ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe, although it does not usually affect intelligence or awareness.
