Bill Stamation’s family is a widely respected one in Mildura.
Living on the family fruit property in Irymple, Bill’s hard working Greek parents George and Katerina were much loved in Mildura’s Greek and wider community.
The same went for their son Bill. Involved with soccer since the tender age of nine, he became a founding member of Mildura United Soccer Club in 1974.
Always ready to donate his time and hard work for different causes, Bill’s love for soccer has always benefited the club and Mildura’s tight community.
He played and coached various clubs throughout the years including the Sunraysia Juniors, was the secretary of Mildura United, and had a lot of
involvement and a massive impact on the Sunraysia Football League.
A constant within Mildura’s soccer community, earlier this year Bill was appointed as Mildura United’s senior men’s coach.
It was just one more hoop in Stamations’ connection with the soccer club, where Bill’s wife Kerryn has been a committee member, and his son Jorgi one of Mildura’s players.
But it was the devastating diagnosis in May this year that changed the plans for a young Greek family when Mildura’s founding legend Bill was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Now the community of Mildura United Soccer Club and of the whole town stands united to help Stamation family.
On 22 June, a fundraiser We Stand United was held, organised by club’s secretary Sonya Nicolaci.
“We recently found out that Bill has been diagnosed with liver cancer, that has now spread to his lymph nodes and stomach. We are all shocked and extremely saddened by the news.
“The family are looking at an extremely long and difficult journey with treatment and medical trips to Melbourne. So we stand united to raise as much money as we can to help them through this journey,” Sonya Nicolaci tells Neos Kosmos.
The response of the Mildura community has been overwhelming, Sonya says. Money was raised to help fund Bill’s first cancer treatment, but now second treatment is to be funded.
“We are trying to do everything we can. There is a new cancer drug that is out now – $10,000 every time they have to do it and it’s not government funded. We managed to raise almost $10,000 and Bill just had his first treatment on Friday.”
And for the Stamation family, who had to sell their newly opened fruit and vegetable shop when Bill was diagnosed, the support of their friends and soccer community has been a rock to rely on.
“They had just started their business prior to the bad news, they have dreamt about a fruit and veg shop with beautiful Greek sausage, but they ended up having to sell it within two weeks.
“The support of the community has been amazing – we had the Greek Orthodox Philoptohos Society of Mildura make a donation of $1,500 which was fantastic. We had a lot of Greek people coming from interstate and people from overseas as well making donations.”
Up until last week, so dedicated was Mildura’s coach to his team, that he was attending every training and Sunday games of his boys, until the battle with cancer made it harder to attend.
With Sonya Nicolaci and Mildura United on the helm, the Indiegogo campaign is now running to help raise money for Bill’s next treatment. And, as a gift for those who make donations, a top signed by Liverpool FC legend Louis Suarez is up for grabs.
“People can donate $10, and write me a personal email – 25 words or less – why they should win that shirt. Once the campaign is over, in 20 days, that’s how we’ll decide who it should go to,” Sonya explains.
There’s no doubt that cancer is a tough opponent – as tough as they come. But it seems that Mildura United SC and Mildura’s community are doing everything they can to help their hero in need.
It requires teamwork, effort and dedication, Sonya says.
“Just remember – it could be you, your father, your son, your best mate. $10-20 that someone can give might not be too much for them but is everything to a family like the Stamations and what they are going through. Everyone should think how much it would mean to you if it was your family.
“We are just trying to get as much help as we can, as many donations, people on board … He is just a gentle soul, and for him, we stand united.”
One in two men will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 85. Around 63,000 Australian men are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year alone.
To donate for Bill Stamation’s cancer treatment, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/helping-out-a-local-hero
For more information, contact Sonya Nicolaci at sonya.nicolaci@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/pages/Mildura-United-Soccer-Club/158843457608199
*A previous version of the article wrongly quoted that a Greek Orthodox Church made the $1,500 donation.