Toowoomba community rallies around local legend in cancer battle

Toowoomba gives generously to help out local legend in the face of cancer battle.

Pat Johnson with wife Cheryl. Photo: File

The local Toowoomba community has answered the call to help out one of the game’s most loved people.

TJRL and Brothers life member Pat Johnson was hit with a shock cancer diagnosis last month, requiring constant travel to Brisbane for treatment.

A GoFundMe was set up in order to help the Johnson family, and the response has been enormous.

Over $12,700 has been raised to assist Pat, with 85 donors digging in and helping out their mate in need.

The comments from The Chronicle’s article echoed the sentiment of locals getting behind the beloved figure.

“Sending you both all the best on your journey to battle this dreaded disease. Our love & thoughts are with you & your family,” Judy Sparksman said.

“The most wonderful people involved in the game. Good luck our thoughts are with you.” Terry Brighton added.

If you would like to donate, head to: https://bit.ly/3jyzg9T.

Toowoomba rallies behind local league legend in cancer battle

One of our local league’s most well-loved men has the support of the entire Toowoomba community in his battle with the dreaded disease.

Pat Johnson was hit with the unexpected news of brain and lung cancer recently, in a shock to himself and others.

A life member of the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League and the Brothers club, Johnson has been a fixture at local grounds for over three decades.

Dedicated to helping our young stars, Johnson has been a first aid officer across Toowoomba, seeing the need for a dedicated role to ensure safety of players.

“There was no pain, no headaches, no nothing,” Johnson said.

“I went in for a diabetes check-up and that’s how they discovered it.

“As far as pain is considered I’m A1 at the moment, but that doesn’t mean to say down the track it’s not going to change.

“I’ve been told that the treatment I receive is pretty well pain free.

“I’m pretty lucky that it’s only small (on the brain) at the moment and there were some particles found in my lung.”

Johnson said that he has been overwhelmed with the support that the community has shown.

“People’s response to what’s happened has been amazing. I’m so indebted to what they’re doing for me. I’ve made a lot of friends in sport, and I’m a lucky person in life.

“I was on the way to Brisbane and I had a call from Ash Taylor who I had a fair bit to do with at Brothers, and he’s rallying around some support.

“It melted my heart to know that young fellas still remember you when times are tough.”

Johnson said he is committed to fighting the battle head on as he looks to come out the other side.

“I’m going to give it my best shot,” he said.

“I’m pretty lucky in that my specialist said that even though I’m nearing 70, he can see that my heart is strong.

“You can’t look backwards with these types of things.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Johnson family deal with costs associated with treatment and travel to Brisbane.

The generous support of the local community has already seen more than $7000 raised. If you would like to donate, head to: https://bit.ly/3jyzg9T.