Popular Australian newsreader Bruce McAvaney opens up about health battle

If you watch a lot of sport or news on Channel 7, then no doubt you would recognise Bruce McAvaney.

He’s been one of the leading sports commentators and newsreaders in Australia for decades, covering everything from the Sydney Olympics to the Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup.

But now he’s facing one of his biggest battles yet.

The 63-year-old has revealed that he hasChronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, a form of blood cancer.

McAvaney told The Herald Sun although he was feeling quite well, the diagnosis was part of the reason why he missed his first Australian Open since the ’90s.

“Look it could be very serious,” he said.

“It could jump out of the ground at any moment. I don’t expect it will. But I’m living a complete life with no restrictions.”

It turns out, McAvaney was actually diagnosed two year ago.

But it wasn’t until last year that he really started to feel fatigued.

“It had been building for a little while. But last year was a bit of the straw that broke the camel’s back,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Every morning I wake up and there is a football match to look forward to, there is a race meeting, there is an Olympic Games coming up, it’s ridiculous, but it’s the way I live.”

But don’t think you’ve seen the last of him, McAvaney will be back calling the footy this year!

Very unfortunate news! Are you a fan of Bruce McAvaney? Have you ever had leukaemia before?