“A strong person is not the one who doesn’t cry. A strong person is one who is quiet and sheds tears for a moment, and then picks up the sword and fights again.”

Panfilo Samlidis definitely embodies that exact quote. This Friday night he will once again play for his beloved Pascoe Vale F.C. at CB Smith Reserve. The lead up to this game has been no easy ride for Panfilo as he has encountered a major hurdle along the way.

Anybody who has played football will know that pre-season training is based on improving a player’s fitness for the upcoming season. During Pascoe Vale’s pre-season preparations, Panfilo began to feel an increasing amount of fatigue during training and friendly matches.

After his Round 3 match against former club Heidelberg United, Panfilo knew something was not right. He decided to get some tests done to find out what was causing his ongoing issue of fatigue.

The results were handed back to Panfilo and his family, and it was evident his white blood cells were low. He was then told he would need to undertake a marrow biopsy. The biopsy showed that Panfilo had Leukaemia, a disease which begins in the bone marrow and develops an increasing amount of abnormal white blood cells.

The news came as a shock for Panfilo’s family and friends. Although this news was difficult to take, especially for the youngster in his last year of VCE, his positive attitude was shining brighter than ever.

The support from his family and friends was overwhelming, and Panfilo appreciated the amount of people who came to visit him every day in hospital.

The football community in Melbourne also showed great acts of support towards Panfilo, with the likes of Carl Valeri, Matthew McNamara and old teammate Griffin McMaster all visiting the 18-year-old.

Panfilo has remained positive throughout his treatment and has a very strong mindset, which is sure to take him very far in life. He is somebody who has showed true will power and determination to never give up and follow his dreams.

When visiting Panfilo is hospital there was never a dull moment, and his comedic side was still on display. When I asked him about what would eventuate with school and soccer, he seemed hardly bothered.

“I will be out there playing again for sure, I know I will, as for school everything will be fine – even if I have to repeat, I am neither embarrassed nor ashamed,” he said.

It’s no lie when they say that the strongest people are faced with the toughest hurdles in life. I have been a friend of Panfilo’s for a very long time and I know he is somebody who embodies mental strength. For somebody to go through something as tough as this and to stay so positive has inspired me and the people around him.

At the beginning of March, Panfilo was diagnosed with Leukaemia, and three months later he is training, attending school and will this Friday once again put on that white and navy blue strip to represent Pascoe Vale F.C.

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TCF spoke to some of Panfilo’s family and friends who wish him luck for his return to football this Friday night:

“I always knew this setback would only make you more determined to get back on the pitch, good luck.” – Paul Samlidis

“We are all very proud of the recovery Pan has made and his motivation to get back out on the pitch, we are all wishing him the best of luck.” – Marcus Garro

“Panfilo is a true inspiration to us all, he is so dedicated, strong and persistent. He has worked so hard on and off the field for this return, we wish him all the best and we will always be by his side.” – Marko Bagaric

“Your determination to get yourself fit and strong enough to play again has been inspirational. All the best for the game, you’re a champ.” – Joel Grech

“The entire Marcellin community remain committed in our support of Panfilo during his battle with overcoming leukaemia. We are continually amazed at his strength and positive attitude toward his situation. He is an inspirational to us all.” – Adriano Di Prato, acting principal

“It’s been a long three months but you made it back, good luck tomorrow and I’m sure you’ll do well.” – Miron Samlidis

On behalf of everybody at TCF we would like to wish Panfilo luck on his return to football this Friday night.

Images: Supplied