Good days have been few and far between over the past few years for fanatical Panthers supporter Jason Sanderson.
The 28-year-old went to school at Patrician Brothers Blacktown two decades ago with current Penrith stars Izack Tago and Soni Luke, all three dreaming of becoming NRL stars.
But while Tago and Luke have fulfilled their destinies, life has become a nightmare for Sanderson.
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“About three years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer,” he told Wide World of Sports.
“After all sorts of treatments they operated and took out a mass about the size of a football from my abdomen. It weighed six kilos.
“I thought that would be the end of it but the cancer is back – and at stage four.
“I’m just devastated – it’s right through my body and I’ve started chemotherapy again this week – it’s all hard to process right now but I’m determined to beat it.”
Despite his dire predicament, you couldn’t wipe the smile from Sanderson’s face one memorable day last week.
“Unbeknown to me, one of our old teachers arranged for Izack and Soni to come visit me and they brought me a jersey and boots they had played in,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it – it meant the world to me. It gave me hope and I haven’t had much hope lately.”
Sanderson’s mum Dail was moved to tears by the gesture from the two Panthers premiership winners.
“Jason has been a Panthers fan since he was seven – he’s probably their biggest fan,” she said, choking back tears.
“He goes to every game he can. He’s even been to Townsville, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to watch them.
“To see the smile on his face when the boys came around… it was priceless.
“Life has been tough for us and I pray to God every day.
“This gesture from the Panthers boys was like a miracle to us.”