On his 31st birthday, Jai Arrow has vowed to fight the disease that has ended his rugby league career, and affects many families across Australia.
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Arrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) earlier this year, the same disease AFL great Neale Daniher lived with until his death in May.
MND is a terminal neurological condition that kills approximately two Australians every day, according to the Queensland Brain Institute.
Since his diagnosis, the Australian sporting community has rallied behind Arrow, with the NRL holding Jai July and celebrating his 31st birthday on Sunday, as his South Sydney Rabbitohs hosted the Newcastle Knights at Stadium Australia.
Arrow spoke with ABC Sport at the ground as the NRL community celebrated what was coined the World’s Biggest Birthday Party.
Rabbitohs fans got the chance to meet Jai Arrow on the field after the match. (ABC News: Nabil Al-Nashar)
The former Queensland State of Origin representative said he was determined to fight MND for everyone affected by the disease.
“I’m not going to be sitting at home moping about it. I want to build awareness on MND to find a cure for everyone moving forward,” Arrow said.
“I’m here to help other people fighting this disease. I’m here to build awareness. I’m here to beat this bastard.”
Asked how he was in the months following his diagnosis, Arrow told ABC Sport he was doing everything he could to manage the disease.
“To be honest, I’ve never been in a better mindset. I know it seems hard to think, but I’ve never eaten so healthy, I’ve never been so diligent with treatment and recovery,” he said.
“I’ve got a lot to live for and I’ll continue as best I can.”
An MND diagnosis is made by a process of eliminating other possible diseases or conditions.
By the time Arrow was told he had MND, he said he was relieved to have clarity about his health predicament.
“All I wanted to know was what I had,” he said.
“When the words came out that there was enough evidence to diagnose me, I just kind of went ‘uh, alright, I know now’.”
Despite his life being significantly changed by MND, Arrow says he is in high spirits and determined to make a difference for others.
He tossed the coin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Big Freeze Game, a match dedicated to Fight MND, which was founded by Daniher.
Arrow presented the State of Origin shield in Brisbane last Wednesday, and players in the NRL, AFL and some in rugby union has been doing bow-and-arrow celebrations, as a way to raise awareness of MND.
“I truly feel like it’s bigger than me, bigger than the game, and it’s bigger than anyone else,” Arrow said.
“It’s really brought a nation together … I don’t know how to thank everyone.”
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