‘A lot of people’s hero’: Sons tell of John Farnham’s fighting spirit

As John Farnham continues to heal after his battle with mouth cancer, his sons have revealed why the rock legend is “stubborn in all the right ways” and a hero to so many as he pushes forward.

Australian entertainment legend John Farnham is a “fighter” who is continuing to heal after his battle with mouth cancer.

Rob Farnham said his celebrated father was “getting better every day” after he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour inside his mouth in August 2022 and underwent major surgery to have it removed. He was declared cancer free in mid-2023 and his body continues to mend.

“Dad is doing good. Every day he is getting better,” Rob said.

“It is just one of those things, some days it is great and some days it is not. He is a fighter, he is stubborn in all the right ways and he wants to keep pushing.

“The main thing is the doctors, the nurses, the professionals involved and everyone who helped him get through it … they are out there trying to help people, they are the superheroes.

“They are doing the hard yards and because of the support and work that they do, Dad was able to pull his socks up and really concentrate on healing himself.

“He is well, he is cancer free and he is happy. He is annoying my mum again which is fantastic.”

Rob Farnham describes his father, John, as a ‘fighter’. Picture: Instagram

Rob and his brother James have thrown their support behind the Cancer Council Victoria to help raise funds on Cancer Research Giving Day, on Tuesday, February 4.

Donations made on the day will be matched, doubling the impact on cancer research.

“We’ve seen first-hand how crucial cancer research is, and we’re so grateful for the

treatment dad has been given,” Rob said.

“We’re urging Victorians to make a donation on Tuesday so they can help fund game-

changing research. If people can get out there and give what they can, that will help massively.

“Every year over 38,000 Victorians are told they have cancer, which is insane. It does not discriminate. One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 85, so it definitely impacts us all.

Rock legend Farnham in a scene from the documentary John Farnham: Finding the Voice.

“Donating helps everyone involved; the families, the patients, the researchers. The more we can understand about cancer the more we can help the survival rates.

“Over the last three decades the five year survival rate has increased from about 49 per cent to 72 per cent.

“Cancer completely demoralises you. It is a huge kick in the guts not only for the patient, but for the people around them. It is traumatising.

“The evidence that it (research) is helping is clear and I hope people give what they can.”

Rob and James supported the Cancer Council Victoria as Daffodil Day ambassadors last year and have maintained a strong connection to the organisation.

James and Rob have maintained a strong connection to the Cancer Council Victoria. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

“The main driver behind us wanting to do this was dad, for sure, but my father was not the only one that unfortunately suffered from cancer in our family,” Rob said.

“There have been other people who have passed in the last 10 to 15 (years) that suffered from serious cancers as well. He was obviously the tipping point for us.

“Anything that we can do to raise awareness of and support cancer research is super positive for us. We want to give back. I want to help people who are going through this.”

Rob urged everyone, but especially men, to be vigilant about their health and get regular check-ups.

“I went to the doctor the other day and had an exam,” he said.

“I put it off for so long, but I am 43 now and I thought I had better bite the bullet and go and get some checks.

“I implore everybody, male and female, to go and get checked even if it is the smallest thing.

“A little cut inside your lip could turn out to be extreme cancer. You just have to be vigilant and careful.”

“He is my hero, he is James’s hero, he is a lot of people’s hero,” Rob said of his father who bravely revealed the toll the surgery to remove his tumour had taken on him in his bestselling memoir The Voice Inside.

Cancer Research Giving Day is Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

Donations can be made at www.cancerresearchgivingday.com.au