Yeppoon Swans player Ollie Miles diagnosed with rare form of leukaemia

As a talented teen Aussie rules player faces the fight of his life against a rare and aggressive form of cancer, his parents have issued an urgent call to Queenslanders for blood, plasma and bone marrow which will be vital in his years-long battle.

Ollie Miles has played all of his junior Aussie rules with the Yeppoon Swans and made his A-grade debut in 2023.

Three months ago, a fit and healthy Ollie Miles was reflecting on another successful season of Aussie rules and counting down to his Year 10 graduation.

Today, the 16-year-old is in the fight of his life after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.

The Capricorn Coast community has rallied around Ollie and his family, already raising more than $70,000 through a GoFundMe page and charity auction.

Now, they are being asked to show their support by donating blood, plasma and bone marrow which will be vital in Ollie’s treatment.

The plucky teenager has been accepted into a worldwide medical trial to fight the cancer, which has been diagnosed in fewer than 150 children in Australia, the USA, UK and a number of other countries.

Peter Watkins is president of the Yeppoon Swans, the Aussie rules club Ollie has played with since he was five.

He said Ollie’s father Clint had donated blood for most of his adult life and while he had never really thought much of the selfless act, knew he was helping someone.

Ollie Miles is a gun young Aussie rules player.

He would now love to see that generosity repaid in kind for his boy and all others who need this lifesaving help.

Peter said Ollie was a much-loved member of the Swans family, and a rising star who has been a fixture in the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

He played with the club’s under-15 team in 2023, and also made his A-grade debut during the season.

“He’s a very skilful footballer but he’s also a good, honest and respectful kid,” Peter said.

“He’s pretty darn tough and that’s going to be to his significant benefit in terms of fighting this.

“He obviously has some tough days but generally his spirits are very good, as are the family’s.

“They know they’re in for a long battle, but they certainly are up to it.”

Peter said Ollie started to experience unexplained “aches and pains” in the latter stages of last year.

“It was suggested that he go and get a blood test,” he said.

“Within 12 to 15 hours of that, he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Ollie Miles, 16, is battling a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.

“That was on Monday (November 13). He was flown to Brisbane the next morning and later that day they identified that he had this strain (of leukaemia).

“The cancer that he’s got is very aggressive so they’re equally as aggressive in treating it.”

Ollie was started on a daily regime of chemotherapy at the Brisbane Children’s Hospital, even having treatment on Christmas Day, though he did ultimately get to enjoy his regular festive fare of beef ribs wrapped around a lamb roast.

Peter said Ollie had to undergo a series of tests before being accepted into the trial.

“Because he’s now in the trial, his treatment is continually changing. Whenever they find treatments that aren’t working or he reacts badly to, it changes,” he said.

It is expected Ollie will need to be in Brisbane for up to three years and when not hospitalised, will need to be close by to be there at least three days a week for chemo and other treatment.

Ollie Miles is a student at St Brendan's College in Yeppoon.

Peter said a subcommittee had been formed, consisting of members of the Yeppoon Swans, St Brendan’s College and the broader community.

They were doing all they could to help the family, particularly financially through various fundraisers.

The money is going towards subsidising the family’s accommodation in Brisbane, as well as ongoing medical costs which are significant.

Peter said the Miles family was incredibly grateful for the generosity of the community and the incredible work of the hospital staff looking after Ollie.

“They’re enormously appreciative of everything that everyone is doing, and that’s not only the financial support but the moral support as well,” he said.

“Ollie is getting plenty of messages from his schoolmates and his footy friends and they’re the sort of things that keep him going.”

For more information on donating blood, click here.

For details on donating bone marrow, click here.