By Callum Ludwig
Just over a year ago, the life of a young Gladysdale local was turned upside down by a devastating diagnosis.
Mitch Gribbrock turned 17 in April and is fighting Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that forms in the lymphatic system when the body produces too many abnormal lymphocytes, a form of white blood cell.
Mitch’s dad Wayne Gribbrock said the cancer was found when Mitch couldn’t move and had no feeling in his legs one day.
“It was around his spinal cord, constricting it, which in turn stopped his legs from moving, then they did an MRI and found masses on his spine which led to emergency surgery on 17 May last year,” he said.
“He’s still got a long road ahead, his treatment doesn’t finish till September 2024, as he’s got his treatment for cancer as well as his rehabilitation for learning to walk again because he’s had to virtually learn that from scratch.”
The Gribbrock family are all members of the Upper Yarra Angling Club, who organised a Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday 17 June to help support the family.
Upper Yarra Angling Club Secretary Paul Ireufi said everyone who knows the family had felt so helpless, so they want to give something to him to try and put a smile on his face.
“Mitch would have been working the last couple of years, saving up for a car so we hope to put a decent chunk of money towards that for him,” he said.
“He’s missed that whole part of his life, he’s an outdoor person, he’s not someone that just sits at home and plays video games, he’s very up and at ‘em, so it’s been devastating for them.”
Before his illness, Mitch was heavily involved in local clubs, playing for the Wesburn Junior Football Club, playing cricket, racing motorbikes as well as fishing with the Upper Yarra Angling Club.
Mr Gribbrock said Mitch has been incredible and he is a lot stronger than he gave him credit for.
“When the diagnosis first came through it was pretty upsetting for everybody, and he hasn’t enjoyed the treatment, as anyone that’s gone through it will tell you but it’s a real credit to him how he’s dealt with and continues to deal with it,” he said.
“The encouragement, the well-wishes and the love and support that we’ve got from everybody has been extremely overwhelming and extremely appreciated by all of us. I’m grateful for where he is at the moment, and I’ll continue to be grateful right up until he’s back on the bike and riding again.”
Over 150 people have booked out the table at the Trivia Night, with more set to come along and support the event.
Mr Ireufi said Mitch has trouble with the treatment sometimes, where he’ll be due for treatment but gets too sick and has to be knocked back again.
“He gets to a point where he gets a bit of motion and mobility and then he goes back for treatment and goes back to square one again but for a kid of that age to persevere with that treatment, it shows he has such a great outlook on it,” he said.
“The ‘Powelly’ Mill has already jumped behind it, donating $600 and Bell Real Estate in Yarra Junction have donated $500, and it’s that kind of community spirit that really chokes you up.”
There are a number of ways you can support ‘Mitch’s Fight’:
Join in on the Trivia Night for some fun or just come and spectate
Donate items for the raffle
Share or tell others about the event, which can be found on the Upper Yarra Angling Club Facebook page
Make a donation now, which can be organised through the Upper Yarra Angling Club.
