2GB veteran Ray Hadley reveals devastating family battle

The radio stalwart has revealed his shock private family battle over the past two months, saying the news was “like a bolt out of the blue”.

Ray Hadley has revealed his three-year-old granddaughter, Lola, has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The Aussie radio stalwart, who announced his retirement from his top-rating program on 2GB in November, told Daily Telegraph his daughter, Laura Hadley, gave him permission to share the devastating news publicly.

“On January 6, my three year old granddaughter, Lola, was diagnosed with leukaemia and that was like a bolt out of the blue,” Hadley, 70, told the publication.

“In a former life, I was an auctioneer, so I get called on quite a bit to do charity auctions … (for) mainly children with, you know, really severe problems …. when it hits you in your own family, you understand the gravity of it, the financial impact on a family, the emotional impact, the physical impact, and no one can imagine what it’s like.”

Ray Hadley with his granddaughter Lola, 3, who is currently undergoing treatment for Leukemia. Picture: Supplied/Daily Telegraph

Hadley, who is a grandfather to seven children, didn’t know what was to come when he stepped down from his hosting gig late last year, and while he said he doesn’t believe in fate, he feels his decision to quit and spend more time with his family was meant to happen when it did.

“I think that something must have pre-empted my retirement so that I can do what I’m doing now in relation to my granddaughter and my family. Because if I was still working, I wouldn’t been able to do it,” he said.

“My daughter and son-in-law have three children so their life is in absolute disarray, so the family pitched in.

“It’s a two-year battle … this little baby girl has had a lumbar puncture yesterday, that’ll be her seventh, she’s had a biopsy and bone marrow six times all under general anaesthetic.

“She’s got tubes coming out of her left right and centre … they attacked the leukaemia and the tests came back a week ago which weren’t as good as we hoped so now they’ve really doubled down. She’s got four chemos a week.”

Hadley received news of Lola’s diagnosis less than a month after presenting his final show at 2GB. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Hadley is a grandfather to seven children. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Hadley presented his final show on December 13.

At the time, the media veteran said he wanted to spend more time with his growing family.

“My children, Dan, Laura, Emma and Sarah, have made sacrifices over the years for me to realise my ambitions,” he said.

“Seven years ago, I had no grandchildren. Now I have seven. Over three years ago, I married the most amazing woman, Sophie, for over 18 years she’s been my colleague now, she’s the most supportive, calming loving wife anyone could ask for. And she deserves a break.”

Read Hadley’s full interview on The Daily Telegraph.

Originally published as 2GB veteran Ray Hadley reveals devastating family battle