Former NRL forward Jai Arrow has launched a public fundraising campaign, Stand With Me, to help fund treatment, specialist care and support for his young family as he battles motor neurone disease. Arrow, 30, is back in Australia after travelling to Spain for
Jai Arrow didn’t wait for the world to catch up with the diagnosis.
The 30-year-old former NRL star. forced into immediate retirement last month after revealing he had motor neurone disease. has now stepped further into public view with an urgent plea for support. This time it comes with a campaign—Stand With Me—built to help cover mounting costs as he searches for treatment options. specialist care and support that can keep him as close to a normal life as possible for himself and his family.
Arrow is currently back in Australia after travelling to Spain to explore treatment options and therapies not widely available at home. In the campaign. he lays out how quickly the disease has changed the day-to-day reality for him: his speech has deteriorated rapidly since symptoms first emerged late last year. There is currently no cure for MND, a progressive neurological condition that attacks nerve cells responsible for movement.
“My life changed forever when I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease,” Arrow said.
He recalls how the shock comes with a kind of disbelief—especially for someone whose identity was built around tackles. preparation and performance. “No matter how many games you’ve played. how many tackles you’ve made or how many challenges you’ve faced on a football field. nothing prepares you for hearing those words. ” he said.
Stand With Me has been established to help cover the mounting costs associated with living with motor neurone disease. For Arrow. it’s also about turning uncertainty into a plan—an insistence on continuing to fight despite knowing the odds. He has vowed to do everything he can to slow the progression of the disease and maximise his time with the people he loves.
His fiancée, Berina Colakovic, and their one-year-old daughter, Ayla, sit at the heart of that resolve. Arrow says his focus remains on giving himself every possible chance while continuing to make memories with his family.
“But if there is one thing I have learned throughout my life, it is that you never stop fighting,” Arrow said.
“I am determined to give myself every opportunity possible to live the best life I can, to explore treatments and therapies that may help, and to continue creating memories with the people I love most.”
“My biggest reason for fighting is my family, especially my beautiful daughter, Ayla,” he continued. “Every day I wake up wanting to be the best dad I can be and to create as many special memories with her as possible.”
“She is my motivation, my purpose and my reason to keep pushing forward.”
The NRL and the broader rugby league community are rallying around Arrow. The league has announced plans for a month-long fundraising initiative known as Jai July, while NRL boss Peter V’landys has promised the game will throw the “world’s biggest birthday party” when Arrow turns 31 on July 12.
South Sydney will also honour Arrow during next week’s clash with Brisbane, and a series of fundraising events are being organised across the game.
Arrow’s Spain trip included time at SHA Spain. a specialist wellness and rehabilitation centre. as he searches for ways to slow progression. Before departing. he said it was “the first step” to mentally prepare for a “pretty hefty battle.” He also talked about what he would do when he got there—“hyperbaric chamber. diet. exercise”—and said: “I’m going over there to get ready to fight for my life.”.
In his campaign. Arrow says accepting help doesn’t come naturally. but he is grateful for the support he has received since going public. He also explained what the fundraiser will be used for: accessing treatments. therapies. specialist equipment and home modifications. while helping secure Ayla’s future.
“It’s the first step for me to mentally prepare for what is going to be a pretty hefty battle,” Arrow said before departing.
“I’ll be doing everything – hyperbaric chamber, diet, exercise,” he added. “I’m going over there to get ready to fight for my life.”
The message of support has stretched beyond rugby league too, with actor and rugby league commentator Matt Nable sending an emotional note after losing his brother Aaron to motor neurone disease in 2024.
“The road will be tough, it will seem at times unfair. Jai Arrow is going to fight,” Nable said.
“We are walking with you. We are holding you. We are on this journey with you.
Fight mate, we are with you.”
Arrow responded by acknowledging the unfamiliar position of needing support himself. “Throughout my life and career, I have always tried to help others whenever I could,” he said.
“Today, I find myself in the unfamiliar position of needing support myself.”
“Thank you for standing beside me and my family and helping me continue this fight.”
Arrow’s campaign, Stand With Me, invites people to support him in his fight against MND through the fundraiser linked as part of the campaign launch.
Jai Arrow Stand With Me motor neurone disease MND NRL Jai July Peter V'landys Brisbane Broncos Gold Coast Titans South Sydney Rabbitohs SHA Spain Ayla Berina Colakovic