Burpengary father Brent Wilkinson stays positive through cancer treatment thanks to footy and family

A Burpengary father given just three months to live after a terrible diagnosis defies the odds crediting footy, family and the power of positive thinking.

Burpengary father Brent Wilkinson is fighting stage four cancer. Picture: Supplied.

A Burpengary father has hailed footy, family and a positive mindset for keeping him going during an ongoing two and a half year battle with a terminal illness.

Brent Wilkinson, 35, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019.

“They said it could of been in my bowel for up to ten years, it’s a slow growing cancer,” he said.

“I had no symptoms, or fatigue or blood, so I just kept on playing football and eventually my bowel couldn’t take it anymore.

“It’s been an up and down roller coaster but having outlets has kept me going.”

Brent Wilkinson with teammates at the Burpengary Jets. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wilkinson has defied the odds as he continues to fight stage four cancer.

He credits his family, eight-year-old daughter Phoebe and his footy mates for keeping him in the game despite gruelling treatments and surgeries.

“I think those sort of outlets mentally keep you going,” he said.

“When you’re at home by yourself you start to overthink a lot of these things, thinking what am I doing this for is it worth it.

“I think having that outlet, hanging around people and the friendships just keeps you alive and keeps you wanting to keep going.”

Brent Wilkinson first pulled on the boost for Burpengary in 1994. Picture: Supplied.

Burpengary Jets opens coach Brad Lord says the Wilkinson family has been part of the furniture at the club for more than two decades.

Brent is the longest registered player in club history notching up 27 years with the Jets, having first pulled on the boots at 9-years-old.

He missed just two seasons, one due to no team being available and the other thanks to Covid-19.

“This year was a bit more special … he’s decided to take life by the bullhorns and still play footy,” Mr Lord said.

“He’s got a pretty good attitude with it, he’s just like ah whatever I’m just going to have fun.”

Burpengary father Brent Wilkinson continues to inspire teammates at the Jets. Picture: Supplied

Mr Lord said despite his gruelling treatments ‘Wilko’ always puts in his best.

“He’s got a portacath in his chest, so he’d still go and have treatment on a Thursday and he’d miss every second game because of his treatment,” he said.

“But then when he was available he’d play, we made sure we worked around his schedule.

“He’s had a huge impact (on the club) especially in the last few years – he’s let people know his situation but he still turns up at footy training all the time.”

The Jets have honoured the 35-year-old with a life membership for his incredible contribution and dedication to the club.

Brent Wilkinson's dedication to his local club has been rewarded with a life membership. Picture: Supplied

The Coach said the hooker is an inspiration for all to dig a little deeper on the field.

“He’s a great player, he lifts all the boys up,” Mr Lord said.

“We could be getting beaten by 20 or 30 points and he’s the sort of bloke that’ll just run down the field and try and put a hit on the biggest fella in the team just to try and lift the other boys.

“He became the glue of the team, he made sure everyone else put in effort because he was and it puts everyone else’s dramas aside thinking my life is not that bad.”

Mr Wilkinson just wants people to know a diagnosis isn’t a death sentence.

“Being positive, just keep on keeping on what you’re doing that’s what keeps the body going,” he said.

“It’s a big realisation on what life’s about … anyone could pass away at any moment, you never know.

“People really take life for granted … I’ve been happy to live 35 years here.

“I feel lucky even though I’ve got this bad prognosis I’ve been able to do a lot of things.”