Honouring Michael Turner: A Legacy of Strength & Advocacy

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Geelong legend and former captain Michael Turner. Michael’s story was one of incredible courage, resilience, and generosity. While he is no longer with us, his impact on our mission and the lives of so many will never be forgotten.

In the face of a devastating diagnosis that gave him as little as six months to live, Michael became a beacon of hope for those battling pancreatic cancer. Renowned for his illustrious fifteen-year career with the Geelong Football Club, he was diagnosed just as he was grappling with the loss of his mother.

Confronting a grim prognosis, Michael chose to fight for survival with unwavering determination. His journey involved a complex nine-hour surgery known as the Whipple Procedure, followed by 12 rounds of rigorous chemotherapy.

"They took out half of my pancreas, my gall bladder, and some of my intestine, plus, they cut out a couple of my veins, and then they cut a hole in your stomach, re-plumb you back the other way and poke your pancreas into your stomach, so you don't become diabetic and you can digest your food," Michael explained.

The physical toll was immense - he lost 16kg, battled extreme fatigue, and faced significant challenges in even basic activities such as eating. Yet, throughout it all, Michael’s fighting spirit never wavered.

Michael never feared death, but he deeply valued his quality of life. During his darkest moments, he even prepared for his own funeral, a testament to the profound emotional and physical toll of his battle. Despite these hardships, he persevered.

As he completed his final chemotherapy treatments, Michael saw a remarkable reduction in his blood cancer count, dropping from 700 to just 25. Though he understood the potential for recurrence, he remained grateful for every moment with his loved ones - cherishing the surf, time with his family, and celebrations with his grandchildren.

"I am getting my life back, getting my lifestyle back. I'm back up to 70kg, and I'm incredibly grateful. It's been very challenging, but I'm one of the lucky ones.”

Michael Turner’s impact stretched far beyond the football field. During his fifteen year VFL/AFL career he: played 270 games, represented Victoria in 12 State of Origin games, was All Australian (1979), Club Captain (1984, 1985, 1986), Runner up in Best and Fairest three times, leading goal kicker 1986 and selected in Team of the Century (with his father Leo) on the wings - the only father/son combination in AFL history to do so. Yet, perhaps his greatest legacy lies in his advocacy and tireless support of those battling pancreatic cancer. He bravely shared his story to help us raise awareness, inspire others, and drive funding for vital research.

Though Michael is no longer with us, his legacy of strength and generosity will live on. His story continues to inspire us in our mission to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.

We extend our deepest condolences to Michael’s wife, Karen, his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Michael’s unwavering spirit reminds us why we must continue this fight. In his memory, we remain more determined than ever to drive change, fund groundbreaking research, and provide hope to those facing the toughest battles. To honour his legacy, we invite you to support ongoing research and patient care.