Sandy Roberts reveals breakthrough in blood cancer battle

Legendary sports commentator Sandy Roberts has received a boost in his cancer battle, saying he’s humbled by the flood of support he’s experienced.

Legendary TV sports presenter Sandy Roberts has received a boost with a positive health update during his ongoing cancer battle.

Roberts, who was diagnosed with incurable myeloma almost two years ago, says he’s “basically in remission” and “feeling good”.

“Now my blood numbers have levelled out and they’re actually pretty good which is great,” Roberts said.

“My haematologist told me last week that basically I’m in remission.

“It’s going well. It is (a relief) especially that one day in the month you fear is when you go in to see the haematologist and he’s got the blood results. Because you can’t tell, that’s the sort of disease it is. It takes a while with myeloma because every case is different.”

Roberts, who called more than 1100 footy games in a stellar commentary career, is still on medication which he needs to manage with other medication following his heart surgery last year to replace a valve.

Myeloma has the lowest survival rate of all blood cancers and develops from malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. It causes health issues including a weakened immune system, bone destruction and reduced kidney function.

Roberts, with wife Carolyn, said he’d never heard of myeloma before his diagnosis. Picture: David Caird

Roberts has shared his story to raise awareness and encourage people to donate to the cause – he admits he’d never heard of the blood cancer before it affected him.

“It’s been an amazing response, just humbling, and there’s people I haven’t heard from for 50 years, and all over the country. It’s just incredible,” he said.

Roberts has joined forces with Myeloma Australia for the Greatest Call Long Lunch fundraiser at The Glasshouse on March 6.

The 500-seat lunch sold out within 15 days of tickets going on sale last year, after Roberts’ story with the Herald Sun and his appearance on the footy panel show The Front Bar.

The lunch aims to raise awareness and funds for Myeloma Australia’s national nursing team and for research purposes. Currently, 22,000 people have myeloma in Australia and 50 people are diagnosed every week.

Collingwood president Jeff Browne, also a myeloma sufferer, will be at the lunch, along with other footy identities such as Bruce McAvaney, Eddie McGuire, Mick Malthouse.

Roberts says keeping a positive mindset had helped him defy the odds. He underwent heart surgery in February 2022 and then had a fall in May that led to his diagnosis.

“There’s always two aspects, and one is physical and one is mental,” Roberts said.

“Fortunately, I’m like Jeff and a pretty positive person. If you can have those traits, it’s going to make it much easier to handle.

Roberts has shared his story to raise awareness of the blood cancer. Picture: David Caird

“There are people who can live for another 20 years and that’s simply because of the work done by the haematologists. We’ve learnt so much and the advancements they’ve made have been extraordinary.

“We’re thrilled with the response to the lunch and we want to make it an annual event.

“You don’t realise just how many people are willing to assist in any way they can. It’s been extraordinary.”

Roberts enjoys spending time outdoors with wife Carolyn and his extended family including grandchildren.

In 2019, he announced that he was retiring after 46 years in broadcasting, covering every sport from the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics to footy, tennis, racing and golf.

Myeloma Australia chief executive officer Mark Henderson said the organisation looked back at Roberts’ public announcement last year as a pivotal time in myeloma’s history.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming,” he said.

“We’ve had a significant increase in donations and offers of support.

“It has been the catalyst for change – change that we believe will drive the momentum towards cure.

“Sandy has given the myeloma community a voice. This community is highly connected, passionate, and fighting for their lives.

“They are committed, like we are, to find a cure for myeloma. Our Myeloma Australia Medical and Scientific Advisory Group predicts that a cure for myeloma could occur within 10 years at an investment of around $100m.”

Myeloma Australia returns nearly 90 per cent of all money raised into frontline services for the myeloma community.

The charity receives no government support and relies on Australian donors.

myeloma.org.au