Jon Mannah ... lost his cancer fight, aged 23.
Rugby league lost one of its true fighters overnight after Jon Mannah lost his brave battle against cancer.
The 23-year-old's blossoming career came to an abrupt halt in 2009 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009,
After fighting his way back to full fitness, the Guildford junior played 12 games for Cronulla in 2011 before returning to his junior club Parramatta to play alongside his brother, Tim.
Unfortunately for Jon, he had a relapse in his battle with cancer in March last year while fighting his way back into the NRL through Eels feeder club Wentworthville.
In July last year, a resilient Mannah told Fairfax Media that he was optimistic about his chances of overcoming the disease.
''I wouldn't say I've given up, no - definitely not,'' Mannah said.
''I'm uncertain about it and I don't know if it will happen again. But I won't be giving up on it any time soon.''I know I'm going to get through this,'' he said.
Mannah never complained and refused to be bitter with the world, always grateful for the support of his family and friends.
''It has been [an ordeal], but I've been all right with it mentally,'' he said in July.
''That doesn't say anything about me, but the people around me. I'll come out the other end. It's just a matter of putting up with the procedures and whatnot.''
Tweets:
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Mannah family during this tough time. God has a plan and purpose for everything. @tim_mannah — Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) January 17, 2013
Tragic news hearing about the passing of Jon Mannah. Thoughts and prayers with @tim_mannah and his family. — James Maloney (@jim_jim86) January 17, 2013
Devastated. Fought a good fight mate, you were a kind and loving bloke who always had the toughness to mix it up on the park. RIP Jon Mannah — Chad Townsend (@chadtownsend10) January 17, 2013
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