Christian Lealiifano will receive a bone marrow donation from his own sister next month as he continues his recovery from leukaemia.
The former Brumbies and Wallabies playmaker confirmed earlier today that he will undergo transplant surgery next month.
"Luckily enough for me, my younger sister is a match," Lealiifano said.
Lealiifano has already undergone two stages of chemotherapy after being diagnosed two months ago and is currently in remission, however the 29-year-old has accepted that he may never play again.
"I hope one day to be able to run out there on the field, whether that be club footy.
"If not, I’m happy to accept that as well."
The Auckland-born midfielder admitted that the next bout of 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.
"Both bouts I got infections, because you’ve got no immune system".
But he was upbeat about the next stage and confident the operation would be a success.
"I’m young, pretty fit and I’ve got a suitable match. One thing they can’t guarantee is that everyone will be cured, but it gives you every chance of beating it."
Newshub.
