NRL fans wish Sam Backo well as he recovers from melioidosis in intensive care, showing improvement.
NRL fans and commentators are sending well-wishes to Sam Backo amid news the Queensland State of Origin champion is in intensive care in Cairns. Backo, who played for Canberra and Brisbane in the 80s and 90s, has been hospitalised after contracting tropical disease melioidosis.
The 64-year-old is currently in the intensive care unit at Cairns Hospital, but is said to be on the improve. It follows a massive heart attack he suffered two years ago, which has caused complications with the melioidosis.
The 64-year-old has been in hospital since April, but managed to watch his beloved Queensland win the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. "I'm very grateful for my wife, who's been beside me through this journey … all my family that have been praying for me," Backo told the ABC. "One of the nurses came around and roused on me (during Origin). I tried to keep quiet for the rest of the game."