Former Broncos NRLW star Toni Hunt opens up on ongoing cancer battle ahead of final round of Try July

For every try-scoring celebration in July, Sportsbet donates $5,000 to Toni Hunt. Each one can buy her six weeks of lifesaving medication.

Every try celebration in Try July is helping former Broncos NRLW player Toni Hunt.

While Toni Hunt is fighting for her life, there is just one thing that keeps her going: her family.

The 35-year-old former Broncos NRLW player is battling a rare form of cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and has been for the past few years.

Heading into the final weekend of Try July which is raising money for Hunt, her partner and three children, she has opened up about her battle and how grateful she is for the support.

Because she desperately needs it.

In her first interview since undergoing chemotherapy at the end of last year and being forced to give away her beloved rugby league, Hunt details the mental and physical anguish she has endured while fighting the cruel disease, the impact donations will have on her life, and her hopes of recovery.

The Broncos NRLW team wore the initials of Toni Hunt and Lavinia Gould on their jerseys last season.

MEDICAL MINEFIELD

Hunt was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2022, and after 12 rounds of chemotherapy and extensive surgeries, she was given the all clear to return to the field in 2023.

She played just two games of NRLW with the Broncos before a routine scan showed it had returned.

“I had the choice to keep playing, but I chose to do chemo so I wouldn’t be sick for Christmas. I was told it would be four rounds, maximum of eight rounds,” she explains.

“I was just trying to get through the four rounds, but I got a bit of PTSD, so everything at treatment was just triggering me and I was feeling so sick.

“I spoke to my doctor and had a scan after the fourth round, and it was a mixed result.

“Bits had disappeared and bits were still there. They wanted me to do another four rounds, but I just could not. I just couldn’t do it again.

Hunt returned to the field in 2023. Picture: NRL Photos

“It took a huge toll on me physically and mentally.

“I’m very aware of everything going on with me. Only I can help myself, so I had to pull myself up and went and had radiation instead.”

The intense radiation made her horribly sick too, but it finished three days before Christmas and she has been stable since, despite the remaining spots.

She has another scan on August 6 which will give her more information.

Her hope is it hasn’t progressed, and if so, that she will be eligible for a clinical trial.

The Hunt family (from left) Jai, Tahu, Kaiya, Toni and Corden. Picture: Instagram

MENTAL TOLL

Hunt is pulled in all directions trying to keep it together for her family.

While she’s sick, her partner Tahu is the sole earner for the family while she takes care of their three children, Corden, 16, Kaiya, 14 and Jai, 9.

As anyone who has dealt with cancer knows, it’s not just the disease itself that up-ends your life.

Hunt’s world is on hold, going to appointments and scans, as anxiety spikes with any small sign of illness.

“I have so much anxiety trying to hold everything together for everyone,” she says.

“Something happens all the time. Even when I was having tests done to see what mutations I had, the doctor accidentally clipped my lungs, so I had a collapsed lung for a while too.

“It just sucks, you get back into training and feel good and then something happens.

“It’s a never ending cycle.”

She is keeping positive for her family, especially Jai, her youngest child. Although the cancer is in her lymph nodes, she remains hopeful of beating it as hasn’t yet spread to her organs.

“My gut feeling is I still think everything is going to be OK,” she says.

“That’s always been my mindset.

“We deal with it and move on. I’m trying not to stress about it.”

Losing rugby league so unfairly has been difficult.

She’s always been so fit and healthy.

“It’s been my saviour, being fit for all these years,” she said.

“It’s crazy. I don’t abuse my body. It just shows it can happen to anyone.”

While she’s unable to play, she still stays in contact with her Broncos teammates, and goes to training on Fridays with Jai to see the girls.

“I went from semi-pro athlete to uber mum,” she laughs.

“But I’m just enjoying the time with everyone.”

TRY JULY

Phillip Sami celebrates a try against the Eels with his version of the Gutherino. Picture: Fox League

The celebrations got off to a slow start, but with the NRLW kicking off this week it’s hoped they spike again for the final opportunity to raise money.

Sportsbet donates $5,000 for every try celebration during the month, which will go a long way to helping save Hunt’s life.

“I watched the first few rounds and there weren’t too many but it’s picked up now,” says Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw.

“With how tense the men’s ladder is, it’s putting a bit of pressure on those players and I totally understand that, but she really needs all the help she can get at the moment and I know the girls are so excited to get out there and celebrate some tries for her.

“We’ll do whatever we can to support her, we love her, she’s a part of this game and she’s a part of the Broncos, so round one, we’re all going to score lots of tries.”

If she’s eligible for the clinical trial, medication is around $3,000 per month.

Each try gets her six weeks of potentially lifesaving medication.

3 weeks down, 1 to go for Sportsbet’s Try July. Who will stand up and deliver next week?#NRL#TryJulypic.twitter.com/jsJx8e8OGt

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 21, 2024

“Firstly, the money is going to help so much with the ongoing medical costs, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I might be fine this week. And next week, I don’t want to think about it,” she says.

“Living expenses, my partner can take those days off work and not have to worry because he’s not getting paid.

“The clinical trials are $3000 a month, and I’ll be able to pay for that if that’s an option for me.”

The attention has been overwhelming for the humble mum, but she’ll be on the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium as the Broncos host Parramatta to kick off their season on Saturday.

“I just want to give my thanks to everyone,” she says.

“I’m just so grateful for the support, it means so much to me and my family.”

Originally published as Former Broncos NRLW star Toni Hunt opens up on ongoing cancer battle ahead of final round of Try July