Christian Lealiifano will receive a bone marrow transplant from his sister as he continues his recovery from leukaemia.
The Wallabies and Brumbies star is preparing for the transplant next month having undergone two rounds of chemotherapy after being diagnosed this year.
“Luckily enough for me my younger sister is a match,” Lealiifano told the ABC.
“For the family, that is quite a special thing and for your sister to give you the gift of trying to save your life, it’s quite special.”
The playmaker has accepted he may never play rugby again even if he fully recovers, despite admitting his diagnosis had come as a “big shock”.
“I hope one day to be able to run out there on the field, whether that be club footy,” he said.
“If not, I’m happy to accept that as well.”
The world sporting community rallied around Lealiifano after his diagnosis in August.
He acknowledged the next period of his treatment would be a daily battle.
“I’ve had two treatments of chemotherapy which have pretty much put me in remission going into this transplant,” he said.
“Both bouts I got infections … because you’ve got no immune system.”
But he was positive the transplant would be successful.
“I’m young, pretty fit and I’ve got a suitable match,” he said.
“One thing they can’t guarantee is that everyone will be cured, but it gives you every chance of beating it.”
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