By Cam Lucadou-Wells
It’s been a rocky return to the bowling green for cancer survivor and Elvis impersonator Peter Hayden.
Just months ago, the Narre Bowls Club player was clinging to life as a large lymphoma bloomed in his throat.
In the past few years, Mr Hayden had endured months of chemo and radiation treatment, an array of medicines and a bout of shingles.
“Then it just came back with a vengeance,” he says.
After a few months on a PBS-listed “wonder drug” Venetoclax , the advanced illness went into remission.
The $12,000 course of tablets a day costs him just $6.
The turnaround shocked club president Eric Sydenham who wasn’t sure Mr Hayden would last till Easter.
The only downside for Mr Hayden is the end of his regular Elvis routine, a by-product of surgery that removed the malignant lump.
He sold up his PA system, and just listens to The King’s songs for the memories.
“I was always out singing, going out and getting jobs.
“I’m just the type of guy who lived life to the fullest.”
He will never give up the bowls, he says. And the former pub chef is back cooking up a storm at the club’s kitchen.
“A lot of people here kept coming up to me and saying ‘Are you going to be OK?’
“I said ‘Yep. I’m a fighter’ – even though I had all these bandages and looked like death warmed up.”
Last year, the bowls club staged a dress-up social bowls day that raised $1700 to help support him and his partner and carer Jen Sherry.
The success – and Mr Hayden’s recovery – spurred the club to make it an annual event Bowl Over Cancer.
All proceeds will go to Cancer Council Victoria for treatment and support.
Bowl Over Cancer is on Sunday, 20 May from 10.30am at Narre Warren Bowls Club, 1 Magid Drive. Morning tea at 9.30am, check-in by 10am. $15 entry.
Fancy dress encouraged, with special draw prizes and game-winner awards.
Details: 9704 9702 or narrebowlsclub@bigpond.com
