Not many people would be aware of Jacob Traynor in Year 8. Such is his low-key approach to life that he’s the sort of kid who doesn’t make waves, doesn’t cause drama for other people and just gets on and does what needs to be done. By definition, he is perhaps the quintessential Aussie battler. Many people would equally be unaware of the very real battles that Jacob has had to endure during his short life, far more than many people would reasonably expect to face in a lifetime. Jacob was first diagnosed with A Plastic Anaemia which is a condition that affects the blood and specifically, the production of sufficient red blood cells. He received a bone marrow transplant to help with the production of red blood cells but his immune system fought this off and killed all the new blood cells. Since then he has spent large portions of time away from school at Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney. He has been through 3 open heart surgeries and suffered from other complications in an attempt to correct his health deficiencies and later this month he will undergo his second bone marrow transplant in the hope the new red blood cells will be received and accepted by his body.
His Tutor Group, Mulrooney 6, has been aware of Jacob’s condition and have kept a special eye on him since he began at Eddies last year and he is never far away from the boy’s thoughts and prayers when he has been away. Through some of our contacts at St Edmund’s, in particular, old-boy Ricky Stuart, we were fortunate enough to be able to organise a surprise visit to the Canberra Raiders for Jacob ahead of his upcoming transplant. Jacob got to meet the players and kick the footy with Josh Hodgson and Jarod Crocker as well as watch their training session alongside Ricky Stuart and the coaching staff. Jacob is a die-hard Raiders fan and his favourite player is Josh Hodgson, who instantly recognised Jacob from previous Raiders charity events and hospital visits. All of the players took a moment out of their busy day to say hi and offer a high-five or a handshake to Jacob who silently smiled through the whole thing.
It was a special day for a young man who takes everything in his stride and a big thank you must go to Ricky Stuart and Matt Ford (Football Operations Manager) for welcoming us into the Raiders HQ and giving Jacob such a wonderful and memorable experience.
Trent Masters (Tutor, Mulrooney 6)