Decked out in his Western Bulldogs jumper and hat, Ronan Hyland looks like your average, enthusiastic young supporter. But beneath the famous Red, White and Blue guernsey, the courageous eight-year is enduring the fight of his life.
After complaining of stomach pains over the school holidays in January, tests revealed Ronan was suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Three months and five chemotherapy sessions later, the Werribee youngster is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
That light beamed even brighter recently when, thanks to the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs association with Victoria Police, Ronan was granted a very special wish to be club mascot for the Round 2 match against Melbourne.
“It was a dream come true for the little bloke,” his father Steve said of the proud moment Ronan ran onto the MCG with Captain Brad Johnson before the game.
“He couldn’t believe it when he was told he would be meeting the players and running onto the MCG with them. He got a photo with Jason Akermanis, met most of the players and had a great day. It was a real pick me up for him.
The cancer was only two weeks old when it was discovered in his liver and kidney. It was frightening to see how quickly it had spread on the scans.”
The mascot idea was initiated by neighbour and Werribee Police Senior Detective Pauline Toohey. That idea soon became reality thanks to the partnership between the Western Bulldogs and Victoria Police who continue to work together for the benefit of the western community and families like the Hyland's.
“The support we’ve had from the Western Bulldogs and Victoria Police has been brilliant. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done to help raise awareness and funds and give Ronan something so special to remember,” Steve said.
On Saturday, Ronan again met one of his heroes when Bulldog Dylan Addison attended the Glen Devon Auskick session in Werribee.
Steve, program coordinator at Glen Devon Auskick, said having Addison at the session not only rekindled Ronan’s memory of the day, it provided all children in attendance with a terrific experience.
“The Auskick program is a great way for the kids to get involved in football. They get really excited when they know an AFL player is coming down to be part of the session,” Steve said.
Addison was one of the many senior players who took part in Auskick sessions at 25 locations across the western suburbs on Saturday morning, giving children the chance to sharpen their skills with their favourite Bulldogs players.
