‘The bastard was not going to get us’: Sporting legends Ray Price and Sam Short gather to inspire fight against melanoma

Even in the midst of two harrowing fights in his life, a rugby league legend has inspired a charity close to his heart set to have groundbreaking ramifications.

“The bastard was not going to get us.”

Equipped with the same determination that played his way to four rugby league premierships, Ray Price battled with melanoma diagnosis head on.

Now it has inspired a new venture for the Parramatta Eels legend, as the inaugural Ray Price Invitational Golf Day tee’d off.

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The concept, which will take place at the Gold Coast’s RACV Royal Pines Resort on March 6 2023 aims to raise crucial funds and awareness for Melanoma Institute Australia.

Australia has the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with one person dying every six hours from the cancer.

Price was diagnosed in 2020 and has fought alongside his wife, Sandy.

Price said he was exposed when he would play footy in the sun on weekends and then work in the sun every day as a chippie on building sites, in an era when sunscreen was not ‘floating around in the toolbox’.

Parramatta Eels Rugby League legend Ray Price. Pics Adam Head

Sandy was treated for Stage IV melanoma and as such began the fight of her life. Price was then diagnosed with Stage III melanoma 18 months later.

Both are survivors of the deadly cancer. But both know all too well not everyone is so lucky.

“The bastard was not going to get us, we were determined to fight it, but there were a few worrying moments,” said Price.

“In some ways it helped that we were going through it together, going to treatment together, as we knew what the other one was going through.

“Sandy would say ‘don’t ever leave me’ and that kept me going through some bloody tough times. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that lucky.

“With this event we are helping to create awareness and raise some funds that can hopefully save lives.

“It’s not just about our story, it’s about reaching out to everyone else who might be suffering or to support family members who are doing it tough while fighting this bloody thing.

“You are not alone on this journey, there is support available. We need to have a big conversation in this country about prevention by changing attitudes around sun-safe behaviour.”

Life since rugby league retirement has been a constant test of will for Price, with the former Kangaroos hardman also suffering from dementia.

However golf has long been a passion of Price’s having frequented courses around Tweed and the Glitter Strip since his move to the region.

It inspired him to combine his sporting love with the profile he established as one of the most feared forward’s of his generation to generated much needed support for those battling and striving to survivor the lethal cancer.

Parramatta Eels Rugby League legend Ray Price with his wife Sandy. Pics Adam Head

Price has been joined in the event by another high profile cancer survivor in Commonwealth Games 1500m gold medallist Sam Short.

The 19-year-old, despite his tender years, has already been forced to confront the disease upon being diagnosed this year while representing Australia at the World Championships in Budapest.

Short had surgery in Hungary to remove the melanoma as soon as competition finished.

Only five weeks later, he had a Commonwealth Games gold and silver medal around his neck.

“I literally went from the pool to the operating table and had the melanoma removed along with a wider margin to ensure no cancer cells were missed,” Short said.

“I needed 20 stitches and was left with a 6cm scar across my lower back.”

The 4-ball Ambrose event is attracting players Australia-wide from sporting backgrounds, corporate heavy-hitters and everyday hackers who want to test their skills while supporting a great cause.

“I have been asked to support some great community causes over the years and this one was close to home,” Price said.

“I was playing golf with a few mates when one of them mentioned the idea of doing a

charity golf day. I said that Sandy and I were ambassadors for Melanoma Institute Australia, and here we are.”

Bookings for the day can be made through Eventbrite ‘Ray Price Golf’