When Crows fan John Eustace started noticing weakness in his arm, he never thought he would receive news that would shake his whole world.
In October, after many visits to doctors, physios and specialists, Eustace was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), at just 35 years old.
“Scared was my first thought after being diagnosed,” Eustace said.
“I went through a range of emotions and it took me a good couple of weeks to wrap my head around what was happening.
“I’ve been told that it is slow, which is good for me. It’s only in my arms. I’ve done muscle tests and they’ve only been able to find loss of the neurons in my arms.
“It is early days and I do feel like I’m lucky in the sense it is slow, a lot of people don’t get that chance. I’ve just tried to stay positive, keeping as strong and as fit as I can, for as long as I can."
Eustace will be part of Adelaide’s Guard of Honour at its SA Freeze match against Brisbane at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
The Crows are continuing the fight against MND by hosting the SA Freeze event for a second year running.
Eustace said he was grateful for the support from his family, friends, the Club and the wider AFL community, in the fight to raise funds and awareness of MND.
“It’s great seeing the beanies everywhere, there’s going to be 20-30 of my mates here with me on Friday night, which will be really good, they’ve all got around it,” he said.
“I am looking forward to seeing Roo get dunked, but it will be good to see all three of them be involved. I am also a massive Modra fan, and Eb’s a star, so it’s going to be great to see.
“To do this alone would be a completely different story and I'm lucky I am not in that situation.”
His Dad and fellow lifelong Crows supporter, Tony, would also be part of Adelaide’s Guard of Honour on Friday night and said he was proud of the Club for getting behind the cause.
“John’s diagnosis came as a huge shock but once we got our head around it, and speaking to John, his strength has strengthened us,” he said.
“It’s fantastic because there’s so many causes the Club can get behind, but this has been incredibly special to see the Crows come on board the way they have.
“The way Neale Daniher and his family have gone about it has been absolutely sensational and the money that’s been raised is going to help them get there with a cure eventually.
“We are very proud to see the Crows get on board the way they have and I would absolutely encourage people to get behind this. It’s such a good cause, the money is going where it needs to.”
Crows fans are encouraged to help raise vital funds for MND research and care initiatives by purchasing a Big Freeze 11 beanie.
They can be purchased when buying a ticket to the match against the Lions and will also be available to buy from the South, East and North gates at Adelaide Oval on the night.
The SA Freeze will kick-start a big weekend for FightMND – an organisation working to raise awareness and fund research into MND – and it culminates with the 11th Big Freeze, to be hosted before the Melbourne v Collingwood clash at the MCG on the King’s Birthday Monday.
Adelaide faces Brisbane at Adelaide Oval on Friday, June 6, at 7.10pm.
To see the Crows trio be dunked and to snap up a beanie, get your tickets to the game here.
