By Jon Geddes

THE Warringah Rats have rallied around their former Wallaby star Pat McCabe and his wife Tammy as the family faces the biggest challenge of their lives.

The couple’s daughter Charli, who turns three in July, is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia six months ago and has already undergone 14 blood transfusions and spent 85 nights in hospital.

In a heartfelt display of support 32 members of the Rats’ community donated blood last Sunday, including current players, WAGS, head coach Josh Holmes, club legend “Slammin” Sam Ward, current general manager Jake Letts, former general managers Guy Fraser-Hills and Manly Marlins GM Greg Marr.

As rugby navigates its way through a period of great turbulence, this story demonstrates that the code still has plenty to be proud of.

Charli, who is in the middle of a round of immunotherapy, attended the special day along her parents and six-year-old twin siblings Jack and Olivia.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

THE McCabes are very appreciative for the way Warringah got behind them last Sunday.

“It was really special, and I think made more special by the fact that Charli could be there and to see the community in action,” said McCabe, who earnt 24  Wallaby caps in his career.

“My last game at the Rats must have been 2010, so to see a combination of guys I played with and guys who made their debuts almost 15 years after I’d finished is pretty incredible to see.”          

Ed Doyle, one of the event organisers and McCabe’s former Warringah teammate, described him as one of the Rats’ favourite sons.

“And there is a whole community there that would like to support him and get behind him and his family in a time of need,” Doyle said.

“I spoke to Jake (Letts) and Josh (Holmes) and they were super supportive.

“The vibe is ‘once you are a  Rat, you are always a Rat’ and it’s more than just a rugby team, it’s a community.

“And we wanted the McCabes to feel like they were being given a big hug because I know whenever I go down to Rat Park it’s like having a big hug. You run into all your old friends and family.

“So it was a really small token that the club could offer the McCabes – and the wider community who are battling  cancer.”     

COURAGEOUS CHARLI

IN these testing times, Charli has been an inspiration with the courage she has displayed.

“Gosh, she is incredible,” her proud dad Pat said. “She has been through so much and I think being so young, she is just so resilient.

“After the amount of chemotherapy and the side effects and the other things – and she can smile and bounce her way through it.

“It’s certainly been a bit of an overwhelming experience, but a really supportive one as well.”    

Doyle said that everyone who knows the McCabes is also in awe of how resilient the couple are with the traumatic situation they are dealing with.

“It’s horrible what they have to go through,” Doyle said. “And they are so positive and doing all sorts of things for charity to help as much as they can.”

The family has recently had to move up from Canberra to Sydney as Charli continues her treatment.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE

SUNDAY’S event was organised through Lifeblood, who took a mobile van to Dee Why where the Rats’ donations were collected.

It also aimed to raise awareness of the importance of donating blood, a message which has become really important to Pat and Tammy McCabe.

“It’s something you know about but don’t have a great appreciation of unless you are in a situation like ours or other people who end up in hospital and are going through a hard time,” McCabe said.   

“Cancer patients are typically the biggest consumers of blood products and it’s been amazing to see the benefits they delivered to her (Charli) and the other children on the (hospital) ward that we obviously get to know very well.

“We are just incredibly thankful for the treatment that Charli is receiving and the people who at some time have donated blood that she has been the beneficiary of.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

THE rugby community can support the McCabes and other families in similar situations by joining the Charli’s Dance Monkeys team through Lifeblood. It has that name because Dance Monkey is Charlie’s favourite song.

Each time a person makes a blood donation, it is done in Charli McCabe’s name.

“Anytime you hear of someone having cancer  everyone immediately wants to help out, but it is hard to know how,” Doyle said.

“This is a really good way because when you are donating blood you are giving the gift of life.”

To get involved check out www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility to register and then join Charli’s team at the following link – www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/donate-as-a-group