The family tragedy that continues to inspire GWS Giants defender Jack Buckley to make the most of every opportunity

Jack Buckley was just six when his mum died from breast cancer and the GWS defender is honouring her legacy by encouraging people to donate blood.

The Giants’ incredible run to the preliminary finals last year meant almost more to Jack Buckley than it did to any of his teammates.

The 26-year-old defender had the best season of his footy career in 2023, playing every game just a year after a devastating ACL injury. Being picked up by the club as a Category B rookie in 2017, he is forever indebted for the support he received from the Giants and his teammates.

But it was in those moments celebrating victories against St Kilda and Port Adelaide that he appreciated just how far he had come.

“The best part of that was when we were playing finals, and won a couple, having my dad, sister and Nan down in the change rooms after,” Buckley said.

“Celebrating with them, we’ve been through it all as a family.

“To have those moments together is something that I’ll never forget.”

Buckley formed an important pillar of the Giants’ impressive defence in 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Buckley family has been incredibly close for as long as Jack can remember due to unimaginable heartache early in his life.

Buckley’s mother, Kim, passed away from breast cancer in 2004 when he was just six. She bravely fought a four-year battle after being diagnosed in 2000.

And while she didn’t get to experience those incredible inner sanctum moments that Jack counts among the greatest of his life, he knows she would have been watching on with a smile.

“Certainly, I wish Mum was there,” Buckley said. “But I’m sure she was watching somewhere with a champagne in her hand celebrating as well.

“It’s times like that that make it all worth it and all that time I missed [through injury] is in the rear vision mirror now. Being able to play for a year and win some finals and hopefully win a couple more this year coming, it’s an incredible feeling and I’m so grateful to be in a position to do it.”

Buckley’s memories of his mother are mainly limited to her cancer fight given he was so young. But he continues to build on her legacy and he aims to make her proud every time he steps onto the footy field.

The 26-year-old doesn’t take for granted that his dream has come true of playing in the AFL for a living. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“When I was a kid, I always had a footy in my hand and I always loved playing,” Buckley said.

“I was exposed a lot through my old man but I’m sure she would have seen that with me growing up and how much I loved it, and my dream was to play in the AFL.

“It’s certainly something that’s driven me throughout the years making her proud and also bringing a lot of joy to the rest of the family who get to see me live out my dream as well.

“Being able to bring some sort of positivity to the family through footy is just an incredible feeling.”

Reflecting on those times watching Kim go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy have left a big impression on Buckley. They provided him with that understanding of just how traumatising a battle with cancer can be.

But it’s also inspired him to make the most of his profile as a professional athlete. Buckley has joined forces with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the Cancer Council for their new campaign to “stand up to cancer (while sitting down)”.

More than one-third of all donated blood in Australia is used to treat cancer and blood diseases, and Buckley is trying to spread the message of how easily anyone can make a difference.

Over 10,000 blood donations are required every week to support people living with cancer and Buckley hopes he can help encourage footy fans to get involved.

Buckley has partnered with the Cancer Council and Lifeblood to encourage people to sit down and give blood to help those impacted by cancer. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for TLA

“It’s certainly something that stitches you and the rest of the family [together],” Buckley said. “And it makes opportunities to spread awareness [important] and feel like you’re not helpless, through donating blood.

“Because it is quite a helpless thing watching someone go through cancer and if donating blood helps one per cent then it’s worth doing. But it’s actually worth a lot more than that because they are the greatest users of blood donation.

“It’s an incredible campaign to hear people’s stories who have been affected by it and I just know I’m not alone. And there are so many people around the country who are living it out right now daily.

“I’ll look to bring as many [teammates] and family to donate with me. I’m sure there are a lot of people who haven’t known the link and want to help in any way possible. So it’s going to have an immense impact on the community.

“I’m glad I can have a bit of a positive impact now on something that has been a negative impact for a long time.”

Originally published as The family tragedy that continues to inspire GWS Giants defender Jack Buckley to make the most of every opportunity