From Incurable to In Remission: Jeff Browne’s Remarkable Journey with Blood Cancer
In a stunning turn of events that offers a beacon of hope, former Collingwood Football Club president Jeff Browne has announced he is in “deep remission” and “firing” after previously being told his blood cancer was incurable. This dramatic turnaround, achieved through a combination of experimental antibody treatments, marks a significant victory in Browne’s personal battle and fuels his growing advocacy for better myeloma treatments in Australia.
Just three years ago, the football world was rocked by the news of Browne’s diagnosis with myeloma, a formidable form of blood cancer originating in the bone marrow. At the time, the prognosis was grim, with the condition described as “presently incurable.” Despite this daunting reality, Browne, then at the helm of the Collingwood Magpies, endured multiple rounds of gruvelling chemotherapy. Remarkably, he continued to lead the club through their triumphant 2023 premiership season, a testament to his unwavering resilience and dedication.
Now, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Recent blood tests have revealed Browne to be disease-negative, a result he attributes to a cutting-edge combination antibody treatment he commenced late last year. “I’m in a deep remission and I’m firing,” Browne shared, his voice brimming with renewed vigour. “I feel the best I’ve ever felt and I’m at my peak right now, I’ve got so much to give. Feeling 100 per cent. You’ll have me around for a while.”
The 71-year-old’s path to this point involved attending the World Myeloma Conference in Toronto, where he learned about an experimental drug combination, including Teclistamab. This treatment, which carries a substantial monthly cost of approximately $26,000 and is not yet widely subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), showed promising results in clinical trials.
“I started a combination of the antibodies in November last year and that was a little bit experimental but when I went to the World Myeloma Conference in Toronto, this specific combination was showing the best results in trials,” Browne explained. “After three months, blood tests are showing I’m disease negative, so it’s worked.”
A Public Mission: Advocating for Hope and Access
Browne’s personal fight has now evolved into a broader public mission. As the chair of Myeloma Australia, he is actively campaigning for increased access to treatments like Teclistamab and is a vocal proponent for the inclusion of the word “cure” in discussions surrounding myeloma.
“We are for the first time in probably the last six to 12 months starting to use the word cure, whereas previously it was not part of the vernacular,” he stated. “Myeloma in itself costs the Australian health system more than $7bn annually. If we can find a cure we can take that sort of pressure off government coffers and the health system. It’s critically important.”
This optimistic outlook stands in stark contrast to the sombre pronouncements made in March 2024. At that time, Browne revealed he had undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and had been informed that his cancer was incurable. Even then, he exuded defiance, famously declaring that the illness had “picked the wrong body to locate itself (in).”
Resilience on and off the Field
Browne’s unwavering commitment to his role at Collingwood, even during the darkest days of his treatment, was remarkable. He remained at the helm throughout their premiership campaign, later crediting coach Craig McRae and the playing group for their profound emotional support. He once described a simple embrace from players on the boundary line as “better than any drugs they can give me.”
After completing his three-year term, Browne stepped down from the presidency at the end of 2024. However, his involvement in the football community and his dedication to health advocacy have continued unabated. He has also put behind him a bid to become AFL commission chairman, stating he has “no regrets” and found the process “too frustrating.”
Throughout his ordeal, Browne’s core belief remained unshaken: he always knew he would overcome his cancer; it was merely a matter of “how.” “I knew I was going to beat it but it was a matter of how,” he affirmed. “The fact it’s worked so well for me, I’m hoping others will take it on.” His journey is a powerful testament to the advancements in medical science and the indomitable spirit of those facing life-threatening illnesses.
