Mount Gambier man Geoff Supplice was diagnosed with lymphoma on Father’s Day, 2021 – and died two months later

Beloved husband and father Geoff Supplice thought he had tonsillitis after complaining of a sore throat. Two months later he was gone.

On Father’s Day three years ago, 61-year-old Geoff Supplice was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer. Two months later, he was gone.

In 2020, Geoff and his wife Heather – known as Polly – moved to Mount Gambier from Tasmania, where they were born and raised, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren during the pandemic as border closures threatened to keep them apart from an uncertain period time.

“Given what ended up happening, I’m so thankful Geoff got to spend that time with the kids and grandkids, and I know it meant a lot to him as well,” Polly said.

Polly Supplice, 61, lost her partner and husband of 40 years, Geoff, to blood cancer in 2021. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Several months after living in Mount Gambier, Geoff began complaining of a sore throat.

“We both just assumed it was tonsillitis,” Polly said. “But after two rounds of antibiotics, he wasn’t getting any better.”

Concerned and in discomfort, Geoff went to the Mount Gambier Hospital for tests and then to a haematologist.

The haematologist told the couple there were some abnormalities his blood work but “it wasn’t anything to worry about”.

“We were told the haematologist was about to go on maternity leave and she’d look at Geoff when she got back,” Polly said. “He didn’t even make it ‘til she got back.”

Soon after seeing the haematologist, Geoff’s condition deteriorated and he was flown to Flinders Medical Centre.

At Flinders, the couple were told Geoff had lung cancer and that with treatment he had a 65% chance of survival.

“I thought that was pretty good,” said Polly, “I remember the doctor and I agreeing it was a good prognosis.”

“After that though, they found a tumour in his throat, it was huge, you could see it when he opened his mouth.”

On Father’s Day of 2021, Geoff was diagnosed with large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

“We were told they couldn’t operate on the tumour without taking out most of his jaw,” said Polly. “So it was decided that he was going to do chemo.”

Geoff is remembered by his family as a hard worker with a dry sense of humour who adored cars and his family, especially his grandkids. Picture: Supplied

The first few nights while Geoff was in Flinders, Polly and her daughter Casey stayed in a nearby caravan park, but after Geoff’s cancer diagnosis they were connected with the Leukaemia Foundation who provided them with accommodation.

“A lady from the Leukaemia Foundation called me from the hospital and told me they were setting us up with accommodation that would provide everything we need for me and Geoff,” Polly said.

“They had vouchers for Uber and for grocery stores, everything was taken care of and I was able to just focus on Geoff.”

The Leukaemia Foundation is an Australian charity dedicated to helping every Australian affected by any type of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

They have an experienced team that helps people affected by blood cancer navigate the emotional, physical, and psychosocial challenges of a blood cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Polly said she “could not find any fault” the Leukaemia Foundation while her and Geoff were receiving their assistance.

“It made that truly terrible time in our lives just that little bit easier,” she said.

Eventually, after the second round of chemo, it became clear Geoff’s cancer wasn’t responding to the treatment.

Together, Geoff and Polly made the heartbreaking decision to stop treatment and have Geoff return to Mount Gambier and receive palliative care.

“The doctors told us he had about two and half weeks left – they ended up being spot on,” Polly said.

Geoff ended up passing away one night in November, holding the hand of his partner of 40 years, surrounded by his three children.

Geoff and Polly Supplice and their 3 kids: Trevor, Casey, and Donald. PICTURE: supplied.

Polly said she can’t remember much from the night Geoff died, but she recalls telling him that if he needed to, “he could go and be with his mum and dad”.

Pictures of Geoff adorn the Mount Gambier home of Polly. Picture: Jessica Dempster

“It’s been over two years now but it just never goes away,” Polly said. “He’d only just turned 61, he had a lot more living to do.”

Geoff is remembered by Polly, his family, and his many friends as a hardworking man who could never be still, who had a dry sense of humour and loved cars and his grandkids.

The Leukaemia Foundation is casting a spotlight on the financial distress blood cancer patients and their families are facing in Australia.

Research shows more than 43 per cent of the 19,500 patients diagnosed with blood cancer in the past year experienced out-of-pocket treatment costs totalling hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars.

Adding to the financial hardship is the fact around 42 per cent of patients had to take more than three months off work during treatment, 30 per cent had to quit their jobs entirely, and more than 50 per cent have not been able to return to work.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti said blood cancer was one the nation’s most expensive cancers to treat.”

“It creates a significant and sudden financial burden on those Australians diagnosed, and our health system,” he said.

“With incidence on the rise, we’re seeing a shocking number of patients, and their families, reaching out to us for support as the disease financially cripples them, sometimes within weeks.

Geoff and Polly Supplice. Polly lost her husband of 36 years (partner of 40) Geoff, to blood cancer in 2021. PICTURE: Supplied

“We are currently helping patients and families who are being forced use savings, sell assets including cars and homes, or turn to charity food boxes and food banks to survive.

“What’s also distressing, is the fact that these people are often immediately thrown into lifesaving treatment, leaving little or no time to get their financial affairs in order, or to work out how they are going to support themselves or their loved ones at home.”

Since Geoff’s passing, Polly and her family have done what they can to raise awareness about blood cancer – including the financial implications, and the importance of fundraisers such as the 26th annual World’s Greatest Shave.

“My oldest son Donald did the World’s Greatest Shave last year and ended up raising $18,000 in memory of his Dad,” said Polly.

The family also participated in the Leukaemia Foundation’s ‘light the night’ event where they filled their house with lanterns and balloons in Geoff’s memory.

World’s Greatest Shave is the Leukaemia Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser.

It aims to raise $16.3m this year to support people living with blood cancer in Australia.

“If it can save just one person, it’s worth it,” Polly said.

Australians living with blood cancer need the support of the Leukaemia Foundation more than ever. Anyone wanting to support the foundation or those impacted by blood cancer can sign up to shave, cut or colour their hair for World’s Greatest Shave by visiting www.worldsgreatestshave.com