Support is a two-way street for Melbourne City and Paula Bedford, the Hyundai A-League club’s most loyal fan.
A foundation member of the team formerly known as Melbourne Heart, Bedford has been a fierce devotee since moving to Victoria and has rarely missed home matches since 2010.
In late 2014, she was diagnosed with duodenal cancer.
Nearly five years after her life was changed, Bedford’s doctors were excited to announce her as disease-free.
But in March this year, she was told the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
“It was bad news: my cancer had returned, was stage four and considered terminal and very aggressive,” Bedford told a-league.com.au.
Doctors suggested the mother of two travel to Japan for specialised cell-based immune therapy.
Her daughter, Kara, opened a GoFundMe page looking to raise $100,000.
“Luckily for me the doctors in Japan didn’t consider me terminal, unlike the diagnosis I received in Australia,” she said.
To my @MelbourneCity family, I'm in need of help please! My cancer has come back & is aggressive. AUS don't have treatments that will be effective so I need to go to Japan ASAP. Please help 🙏🏼 Any donations are amazing (GoFundMe link in FB below) https://t.co/umPNlvIP1n
— Paula B (@Paula_la71) March 22, 2019
“I travelled to Japan a few weeks after that and received those vaccine doses, along with having cell-based immunotherapy and other science-based, but drug-free treatments.
“As you can imagine, this wasn’t cheap.”
That was when City stepped in to help repay the unwavering support Bedford has displayed since the club’s inception.
She held a ‘pre-treatment party’ at her house earlier in the year, which former stalwart and current youth team coach Patrick Kisnorbo, alongside ex-Danish defender Bart Schenkeveld attended.
“They are such humble and kind humans as well as legends of the game,” she said.
“It was something I’ll never forget, and I’ll treasure those few hours of chatting about many things with them both.
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“Shortly after this I received a private message from captain Scott Jamieson letting me know that all the players, staff and the club had chipped in and donated $5,000 to my GoFundMe account.
“To say I was stunned was an understatement, I couldn’t believe they would do that just for a fan like me.”
Although treatment in Japan went successfully for Bedford, she ended up in emergency surgery four days after arriving back in Melbourne following a life-threatening condition.
Bedford has spent most of her time in hospital since mid-August, where she received another visit from Kisnorbo.
It inspired her to attend City’s first home match of the 2019/20 Season – a 2-1 win over Adelaide United last Sunday.
“I was absolutely thrilled that I managed to get to that day. Not only did I make it to AAMI Park, but my little group and I were treated to a night in City Class.
“I felt like royalty and was treated so beautifully. The staff were amazing and made sure we saw as many players as we could – even Erick Mombaerts came to chat and shake my hand.
Massive thanks to @MelbourneCity for looking after me at today's game. They went way above & beyond & treated me like royalty. This club is seriously the ABSOLUTE BEST! Anyone out there trying to decide which VIC team to support – MCFC is the cream of the crop #ForeverCity pic.twitter.com/pV7xiZ402V
— Paula B (@Paula_la71) October 20, 2019
“Jamieson came straight over to me and thanked me for my support of the club and said the club are happy to help me in any way they can. He was genuine, caring and made me feel like I really was of importance to the club.
“Scott really is the epitome of a wonderful captain and he represents Melbourne City incredibly well.
“These highlights have lifted my spirits so much and I believe my recovery has been boosted from the pure joy.
“To say I’m thrilled with all of the support I’ve received form the club is an understatement.
“But more than this I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it, I’m proud of what the club stand for, I’m proud of how they have stood up and I’m proud of the culture and values they’ve displayed.
“I can’t wait to see what the season brings and I hope to be able to make it to many games.
“But if not, I’ll be cheering from my lounge room with just as much passion.”
Support Paula Bedford by donating to her GoFundMe page HERE.
