Urbis Gold Coast boss Matthew Schneider opens up in personal Instagram post about new phase in cancer battle

A top Gold Coast planning figure has opened up on social media on a difficult new chapter in his battle with stage four cancer, calling it “heartbreaking news”. Here’s what he said.

A LEADING Gold Coast development figure has opened up on social media about a difficult new chapter in his battle with stage four cancer, calling it “heartbreaking news”.

Urbis Gold Coast boss Matthew Schneider, 39, posted a sombre but hopeful post on social media on Monday night, saying he was “preparing for the worst but hoping for the best”.

“Following great early results from the six months of chemotherapy I started back in June, this morning my oncologist began our appointment with the news that we have a problem,” Mr Schneider wrote.

Matthew Schneider, 39, has opened up on a tough new chapter in his battle with stage four cancer. Picture: Instagram

“Last week’s PET scan shows the chemotherapy is doing a little, but not a lot. It’s no longer holding back the spread of this insidious cancer with more now having returned in my lungs and bowel, along with some new spots in my spine, pelvis and ribs.”

Mr Schneider shared with his 460-plus followers the stage four cancer was “basically everywhere”, deeming the health update a “heavy blow”.

Despite the “heartbreaking news”, Mr Schneider said he feels “really good” and “strong and positive”.

“I am full of plucky optimism and fight while consciously trying to always keep myself realistic and pragmatic – preparing for the worst but hoping for the best,” he said.

The planning expert then said his prognosis “remains serious and alarmingly short if nothing changes soon”.

He said he will be attempting a thirteenth cycle of chemotherapy to keep the aggressive cancer at bay, and thanked his family and friends for their love and support.

The heartbreaking post comes just days after Mr Schneider gave an optimistic yet emotional public address at the Young Professionals City Leaders luncheon at The Star Gold Coast on November 25.

City leader battling cancer fights back tears in crystal ball speech

November 25: A top Gold Coast planning figure battling stage four cancer has given an optimistic outlook for the city’s future in an emotional public address amid the fight of his life.

Urbis Gold Coast boss Matthew Schneider was a keynote speaker and guest panellist at the Young Professionals Gold Coast City Leaders Forum luncheon at The Star Gold Coast on Friday.

Urbis Gold Coast boss Matthew Schneider, who despite battling stage four bowel cancer, gave a warm and hopeful address at the YP City Leaders Forum luncheon at The Star Gold Coast on Friday. Picture: Sam Stolz

The 39-year-old is fighting stage four bowel cancer, and says he now “looks forward to each chemotherapy session” because “it feels good to get on board and keep fighting back”.

Close to tears at the end of his keynote address, Mr Schneider thanked the audience for supporting him during his ongoing health battle.

“I would like to thank everyone in the room who have done wonderful things for me and my family since I’ve been sick,” he said.

Picture: Sam Stolz

“I haven’t had the opportunity to address a crowd like this and I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity again, so thank you.”

The last time Mr Schneider spoke in front of such a large audience was at the Southport Sharks – where he is president – over a long lunch in his support in July.

He spoke candidly then to the crowd of close to 500 of his nearest and dearest who came to wine and dine with one of the city’s favourite sons.

At the YP Gold Coast function, Mr Schneider addressed key city issues such as tourism, planning and infrastructure, investment, transport and population growth.

Maggie, Samantha, Oliver, Matthew and Louis Schneider at A Long Lunch with Matthew Schneider at Southport Sharks, Parkwood. Pic: Regina King.

One of the challenges the city faced was “holding onto nostalgia” and that retaining cultural heritage and being nostalgic for the old Gold Coast, were “two different things”, he said.

Other guest panellists were Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans, Ardent Leisure CEO Greg Yong and Study Gold Coast acting CEO Jennine Tax.

Bulletin columnist Ann Wason Moore was the MC.

State Minister Meaghan Scanlon attended.

When addressing Gold Coast light rail, a hot-button topic for Gold Coasters, Mr Schneider said the Coast needed to focus less on “whether or not it is a good idea” and focus more on “how we can leverage the infrastructure best for the city’s future”.

Mr Schneider also championed the 2032 Paralympic Games, and said the Gold Coast had a major opportunity “to own it”.

Originally published as Urbis Gold Coast boss Matthew Schneider opens up in personal Instagram post about new phase in cancer battle