Shane Warne’s son, Jackson, doesn’t want families to receive the phone call they did
The sudden death of his legendary father not only inspired Jackson Warne to advocate for Australians health – it was the catalyst for a young mum to dodge a life-threatening disease.
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Legendary cricketer Shane Warne’s son, Jackson does not want Australian families to experience the devastating heartache his family endured when his father died.
Mr Warne told The Advertiser receiving the news in 2022 was “the worst phone call ever”.
“I still think about dad every single day and I wish he was still here,” the 25-year-old said.
“If we can help other mums and dads, uncles, grandparents, make the change and get these checks, I hope they don’t get the same phone call we got.”
It was his father’s tragic death that inspired the Shane Warne Legacy and ultimately the Shane Warne Health Checks, which were implemented across Gather Round last year and will be again this year.
“We want to save as many families and people as possible from getting the same phone call we got,” Mr Warne said.
“It is impossible to make sure no one else gets those same phone calls, but if we can at least limit it or bring more awareness to it or help people make that physical change which would be to supplement diet, training, exercising more regularly, or being a lot more conscious and looking after their heart, I think we’re making a change.”
Mr Warne has come to Adelaide this year, as part of Gather Round, following the incredible results of last year’s health checks, which were implemented across the footy festival.
“Last year we had over 7500 total checks with our machines and over 2000 checks with the extra point of care testing,” he said.
“We’ve been lucky enough to be invited back from the Premier.”
Mr Warne is determined to add another aspect to his father’s legendary legacy, wanting to get to 10,000 checks this Gather Round.
“His legacy will always be to do with cricket,” he said.
“It will always be the Gatting ball, 708, Australian athlete but to add another layer to that legacy — Shane Warne saved my life — I think is awesome.
“I know he will be very proud of that.”
The health checks measure participants’ blood pressure, weight, height, BMI, body composition, heart rate and age, among other health checks.
At Gather Round this year, there will be 46 health check locations at five key locations: Elder Park Fan Zone, Barossa Football Ground, Norwood Football Ground, Norwood Parade Football Festival and Adelaide Oval Concourse.
“It was his (Warne’s) dream to play AFL and so having this activation during Gather Round is a really nice feeling,” Mr Warne said.
“Dad was the most passionate St Kilda fan and I think he’d love to see how we’re going this year and he would have loved to come to Gather Round, it’s a great week.”
‘Shane Warne is the reason I don’t have type-two diabetes’
Rachel Marie said if she did not have a health check at Gather Round last year, she would likely have type-two diabetes today.
“It really made me take stock and think about what I was doing,” the 45-year-old said.
The Hawthorn supporter was enjoying the Festival of Footy at the 2024 Gather Round at Elder Park when she saw a long line at the Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks activation.
“I thought because it’s there, it’s quick and easy, I will give it a go,” the Brompton mum said.
She and her eight-year-old daughter, Miller, eventually came back when the line was shorter after thinking “why not?”.
Now, Ms Marie attributes the check to her not having type two diabetes today calling it a “wake-up call”.
“When I got my results and it was quite high, bordering type two diabetes,” she said.
“When I walked away, it was an immediate — I need to do something and I probably need to see a doctor.”
The health check is a self-service medical-grade health check designed to help people understand their health risks.
The check measures, blood pressure, weight, height, BMI, body composition, heart rate and heart age.
“I’m not a huge fan of going to the doctor unless I’m sick,” Ms Marie said.
“I was bordering on being pretty sick which I didn’t even know about.”
She said prior to having the health check she did not know how serious type two diabetes was.
“I didn’t realise … how it can affect so much of your quality of life and your future quality of life so it was a real wake up call,” she said.
In the three months from the health check to when Ms Marie had her appointment with her doctor, she said she lost seven kilograms after making healthier choices.
“I attribute it to the health check and also the person who did the check,” she said.
“The way she communicated with me in this serious, but not I’m going to give you a lecture type way.”
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