Ahead of the annual Peter Mac Cup, Cloke visited the centre along with team mates Guy Richards, Martin Clarke and Alan Toovey, and was shown around by eight-year-old Zachary Cavallo, who has spent the last eight months courageously battling a rare brain tumour called a Craniopharyngioma.
Zac will run out onto the MCG with the Magpies as the team’s official mascot against the Blues, a game Cloke can’t wait to be a part of.
“There’s a great history between the two clubs, and I think it’s going to work out as just a tremendous day on Saturday afternoon, and hopefully we come away with the Peter Mac Cup,” said Cloke.
“It’s going to draw massive numbers again on the weekend, it’s a game, no matter where Collingwood or Carlton is on the ladder, it’s always a really good, competitive game.”
Cloke, who has played an integral role in the Magpies’ excellent start to season 2007, spoke of the experience of meeting Zac.
“Just having a bit of a chat to Zac before and understanding where he’s at and what he’s had to go through the last eight months, it’s just amazing.
“To his credit, he’s just kept battling on, his spirit’s really high at the moment, so we just wish him all the best with his upcoming treatment and the next few visits.”
The upcoming match will be the 14th edition of the contest played to raise money for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The centre is truly unique within our public hospital system. It is the only Australian hospital solely dedicated to cancer and also has its own cancer research division.
It has an international reputation for excellence and innovation in research, treatment and patient care and continues to dedicate itself to helping more people survive cancer.
Naval ratings from HMAS Cerberus, Rotary Club of East Keilor, Peter Mac staff and volunteers from the wider community will be collecting donations from the many fans attending the game; both in and around the MCG, surrounding intersections and railway stations.
All monies collected will go towards cancer research at Peter Mac.
