Coolaroo holding fundraiser for Toowoomba Hospital Foundation to support Beck Johnson’s battle

The Coolaroo and AFLQ Darling Downs community is aiming to raise $10,000 to support a mum’s fight against cancer. See how they are planning to make a difference.

Coolaroo men's captain Henry Sheath and women's captain Ada McKenzie with regional cancer centre ambassador Rebecca Johnson. Picture: Jessica Cooney.

For many, the day after a birthday is spent reflecting on the night before or making use of your new birthday presents.

For Beck Johnson, the day after her 43rd birthday was the day her life changed forever, after learning news that no one deserves to hear.

Johnson was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer which had spread to her liver.

“I was diagnosed last year in October - the day after my birthday - and took the news pretty hard,” she said.

“Especially with being a mum with young kids and didn’t think this would be my path.”

Johnson spoke of the biggest challenge she has faced since her battle began last year.

“Telling my kids, managing their emotions when you’re tyring to manage your own,” she said

“Watching my friends and family be affected just as I am - it is hard watching them.”

Despite this shattering news, with the help of her husband Shaun, Beck has been determined to make a positive impact in the community and is the ambassador for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.

Coolaroo men's captain Henry Sheath and women's captain Ada McKenzie in the one-off guernseys.

“When the foundation got a hold of me and asked if I would be the ambassador for them, I thought if by telling my story I could help other people then it was something that I should probably really do,” she said.

“Try and turn a pretty horrible situation into a positive one in some way.

“I have a very positive husband, he keeps me in check, it is hard although at the end of the day, if I can help one other person, I think it’s worth it.”

As ambassador for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, Johnson is determined to help raise funds for a regional cancer centre in Toowoomba.

“Basically it would be a stand-alone centre which would help cancer patients,” Johnson said.

“At the moment, the Toowoomba Base Hopsital, there’s 14 beds and there’s only six or eight carparks.

“So on the days where you’re feeling pretty crook already, you’ve got to try and factor in getting there early so you can get a park because if you don’t, you’ve got to go down the front and then wait for a buggy to come pick you up.

“The medications aren’t kept on the same ward, so there are people that are actually running around from the ward going over to a different section of the Toowoomba hospital trying to get the drugs, bring them over in an eski because they’ve got to be cooled.

“Tyring to get your psychiatry appointments, they’re only there so many days a week because the rooms are booked out to other people.

“So having it all under one roof would just make it easier for everyone especially for the patients and the nurses as well.”

Tom Rudolph and coach Shaun Johnson celebrate their win in the 2015 AFLDD Grand Final. Photo Nev Madsen

Upon finding out the news of Johnson’s diagnosis, the Coolaroo Australian Football Club has come together to support a family which has brought unforgettable memories to the club.

Beck’s husband Shaun was a former premiership winning coach with the club and remains in touch with the Coolaroo family, who are now putting on a fundraiser of their own this weekend.

From players posing for fireman-esque calendars, to selling one-off jerseys and several other activities, current Coolaroo men’s head coach and sponsorship co-ordinator Miels Grice has left no stone unturned in his quest to fight for a good cause.

“Our goal is $10,000 but I think we will smash that out of the water,” Grice said.

“I think this is just dipping our toe in for the first time, I get pretty invested in things like this, it is a really good cause, these young kids get to have a good day at football and have fun all for a good cause.

Coolaroo coach Miels Grice.

“We got some really good sponsors who have come on board, one-off jerseys which we will auction and every grade is wearing pink socks and playing with pink footballs.”

Grice spoke about the community spirit within the club and believed coming together for this would only strength the club’s culture.

“That’s one thing our club has had - good culture,” he said.

“We are a family club, I put out a call to arms for people to get involved and have had endless amounts of people wanting to help out … it’s fantastic.”

Johnson has been left touched by the sentiment from the club who were eager to support her in her fight without hesitation.

“They’ve certainly helped us out over the last 12 months and have been a pretty active part in supporting myself and my husband,” she said.

“They’re a wonderful team, very family orientated and I think that obviously shows what they’ve done for Shaun and I.

“Shaun used to be a coach for the team many years ago and still has his finger on the pulse over there and is in touch with everyone and they’ve stepped up.

“I think it would be a really good day especially with all that Milo (Miels Grice) has organised with all the face painting and the jumping castle and that for the kids.

“It is a day to have fun and raise money for a good cause at the same time.”