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Fans unite to help raise funds as Joe Thompson reveals cancer has returned for third time

Football fans unite to help raise much needed funds as Joe Thompson reveals that cancer has returned for third time.

He says “the fight is still inside” after receiving the news that he has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time. The 35-year-old has stage four lymphoma which has spread to his lungs.

Thompson was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and recovered before the cancer returned in 2017. He went on to recover a second time.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by BBC Manchester (@bbcmanchester)

On Twitter, he wrote: “Its true I have cancer for the third time. But we’ve walked through darkness as a family before and we will do it again!

“I need you all to rise up. All I ask if you can to contribute to https://gofund.me/afe79b3c

“Anything received is with heart full of gratitude. Please share 🤍”

Over £8,000 was raised of a £250,000 target early Friday morning with that figure set to rise significantly with football clubs also sharing the donation page.

The GoFundMe page read: “Dear friends and supporters,

“I am Joe Thompson and my journey has been one of resilience and hope. Once a professional footballer, my life took an unexpected turn in 2013 when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“The joy of fatherhood was overshadowed by this daunting challenge, but with courage and determination, I faced six months of chemotherapy and emerged in remission.

“The battle seemed to be won, but life had other plans. On Christmas Eve 2016, 3 years later. I faced the harsh reality of a relapse.

“I had to endure a stem cell transplant, where I spent 18 days in isolation, a period that tested my sanity but also showcased the strength of the human spirit.

“Now, the cancer has returned with a vengeance, spreading to my lungs. In the face of adversity, I’ve been collaborating with oncologists and scientists, self-funding research to uncover the root cause of my recurring illness.

“Today, I reach out to you with a heartfelt plea for support. We aim to raise £250,000 to cover the costs of my ongoing treatment and to pioneer a groundbreaking test that could prevent the recurrence of not only my cancer but potentially save countless lives in the future.

“As a family we have self funded the treatment and worked with the scientists so far with our own savings near on six figures but we still have a long way to go and would not have the opportunity to continue with the research and treatment without your support.

“Your generosity can make a world of difference. Any amount you can contribute will be deeply valued and will bring us closer to a future where no family has to endure this struggle alone.

“With gratitude and hope,

“Joe Thompson and Family

“#TeamThompson #JT15”

“[It is] far from ideal and it’s come back quite aggressive, so stage four,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.

“[The] only positive is it is the same cancer as what I’ve had previously, but the issue for me this time is its gone on to my lungs, so breathing is a problem, sleeping is difficult and even talking sometimes can be quite hard.

“Definitely the fight is still inside, nothing changes, but actually facing it for the third time really hurts because you know what you are going to have to go through.”

he retired from playing in 2019 after making 203 appearances for Rochdale and said that he had “pushed his body to the absolute limit”.

After returning for the second time from cancer in December 2017, Thompson scored the goal which saw Rochdale avoid relegation from League One.

“It’s weighing up all the options and trying to understand what do you want to get out of life? Ultimately I want a quality of life where I can be like everybody else, play with my children, be as active as possible and enjoy life,” he continued.

“The problem with a third diagnosis is it’s like the grim reaper, here I am again. Then you start to think of all the emotions.

“I’d be lying if I said there’s not days where I doubt certain things, but I’ve always said I will never, ever give up, I’ll just get beaten if it does get on top of me.”

After his playing career, Thompson has gone on to work in the media as a pundit as well as mentoring and working as a motivation speaker.

With the return of his cancer, however, Thompson says that he now needs to “find a way” to profess the positives of his situation when he returns to his speaking commitments later in April.

“For instance, public speaking. I can give you the ending to the present and it’s a positive. But how can I spin it when I’m in it?” he added.

“Now it’s how can I give you a positive story when the outcome is I’ve got stage four cancer at this moment in time?

“I’ll find a way, I’ve got a big talk at the end of April but I’m wrestling with how I’ll go about it, but it’s so important telling a story and you want to get them through it all emotionally, and want them to walk away on a positive. That’s what I’ve struggled with.”

As mentioned, fans unite to help raise funds as Joe Thompson reveals that cancer has returned for third time…

@garria2159: So sorry to hear this sad news, but you’re fighther Joe, you’ve beaten it twice, so go and get your hat trick, everyone is right behind you all the way

@Alex_Jordan85: Life is so cruel, sending you all our best for the journey ahead. You’ll beat it again Joe I have no doubt, we’re all pulling for you! 💙

@tom_7711: Stay strong @IAmJoeThompson you’re an inspiration to so many everyone is behind you 💙

@ChaffRAFC: Awful news but please know that we’re all with you. Keep fighting. You’re an absolute inspiration to every one of us.

@elliott_h99: Absolutely gutted about this. Wishing you the absolute best Joe 🙏💙

@princessmacd: Sorry to hear this @IAmJoeThompson 😕 if anyone can fight this again, you can! Praying for you and your lovely family 🙏🫂 #Readingfc #footballfamily

@DGardinerSPUD: Everybody is with you @IAmJoeThompson. Think about the moment you buried it against Charlton. And you won’t have a problem 💙

@Markruss123: One of the nicest lads you will ever meet , really don’t get life at times why does it happen to the good people on earth 🌍❤️

@DanJRich: So sorry to hear that @IAmJoeThompson. You’re an inspiration to many in being so mentally strong to face this again and having already had it twice too. I’m full of admiration for you and hoping you get the care and support needed for you to see it off again. Much love ❤️

@_iainmurray: Horrible news. @IAmJoeThompson you’re incredible for the way you’ve dealt with it before and it’s amazing how well you’re speaking about it again. Just wish you all the best mate 💙💙

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