American rugger, Olympic hopeful Jillion Potter finishes cancer treatment

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RWU HQ – Nothing can stop United States rugger Jillion Potter.JP1

Not a broken neck, not even cancer.

The 28-year old rugger was diagnosed with stage III synovial sarcoma back in September and has spent the last handful of months going through chemotherapy and radiation.

But after a long battle against the rare form of cancer, Potter has finally made her way back to the pitch. According to Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports, the flanker met with her doctor back in early April and learned that she had “clear lungs.”

“I can’t say 100 percent, but maybe 99 percent confident that I’m cancer-free,” Potter said this past week.

Per Zaccardi, Porter will “know for sure after a doctor check-up in June.”

Associated Press Photo
Associated Press Photo

With her radiation over, Potter is back in Denver, Colo. training. The rugger’s current training regime includes running and lifting three times a week and speed and agility work once a week.

After spending the last eight month’s fighting for her life and enduring cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, Potter is not quite back at full strength yet. Cardio is still an aspect of her game that Potter still struggles with.

“For a very long time I’ve never had to scrape the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, but chemo really takes a toll on your bone marrow, red blood cells, white blood cells,” said the 2013 IRB Rugby Sevens World Cup bronze medalist.

But Porter is aiming for a return to the pitch with the Eagles at the Dubai leg of the Women’s Sevens Series at the

In this Feb. 15, 2014 file photo, United States' Jillion Potter, foreground, is tackled by Australia's Hanna Sio in a Women's Sevens World Series rugby game at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Jason Getz, File)
In this Feb. 15, 2014 file photo, United States’ Jillion Potter, foreground, is tackled by Australia’s Hanna Sio in a Women’s Sevens World Series rugby game at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Jason Getz, File)

end of the year. And if all goes well, next up would be an attempt at the U.S. sevens roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“It’s going to be a challenge, a challenge that I welcome,” Poter said. “I’m still very confident that I can make the squad.”

Good luck on your journey Jillion! Us here at RWU are rooting for you!

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About DJ Eberle 198 Articles
DJ Eberle is easily the largest of the RWU Team; Offensive Tackle Large. In fact, this Albany native played OT for Western New England University until he graduated in 2014. Like Junoir Blaber, he's moonlights on MeetTheMatts.com. His Dad played prop with Johnathan Wicklow Barberie and Matt McCarthy - who also in a MeetTheMatts.com moonlighter. DJ's cross to bear, however, is his love for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. There is hope, though, that his genetic inclination for Rugby, will cure him of that! Follow him on Twitter: @DJEberle66