Elizabeth Eagles footballer Jason Sanderson beats cancer, returns to field for first time in almost two years

A local footballer has played his first game in almost two years after beating Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. And he kicked a goal in his comeback match.

Elizabeth footballer Jason Sanderson is back to playing after overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a type of blood cancer. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

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Jason Sanderson was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma two days before his 33rd birthday.

When Sanderson learnt he was in remission and had won the fight against the illness, a form of blood cancer, he immediately had a new battle on his mind – to return to the footy field.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Calvary Central Districts Hospital diminished the fitness he had built from more than two decades playing the game.

Sanderson, now 34, endured six months of gruelling training to return to the shape required and last month ran back out for Elizabeth for the first time in almost two years.

Jason Sanderson (right) with Elizabeth coach James Ramsell. Picture: AAP/ Morgan Sette

“That was one of the main things through all of it – I just wanted to get back into footy as soon as possible,” Sanderson, of Salisbury Downs, says.

“As soon as I was cleared and in remission, I got straight into training.

“Obviously it (the illness) takes a massive toll on your body, so at the start I could only do a couple of simple laps.

“From there it was a pretty slow build-up … I just had to keep chipping away.

“Once I got to the stage where I felt like I wouldn’t hinder the team and could contribute, then I finally got out there.”

Sanderson returned with the Eagles’ C6 side against Mawson Lakes on May 4 and kicked a goal, sparking jubilant celebrations as teammates ran from all parts of the ground.

Elizbaeth won the match by 229 points.

“You’re out there with your mates, something you’ve been thinking about for a while, just to kick the ball around again,” he says.

“It was great.”

Sanderson has since played three games for Elizabeth and says he cannot thank his partner Shara and the Calvary Central Districts staff enough for helping him get to where he is now.

“It was hard on me and really hard on my partner and two daughters (Amelia and Paige),” he says.

“Shara was a real rock through the whole thing.

“She kept me on a straight path and really held me up.”