Tributes pour out for Barnsley youth player Bayley Hassell who is being treated for having a rare type of cancer, the club confirm.
The 17 year old, who is the son of ex-Barnsley and Mansfield player Bobby Hassell, has been part of the Oakwell academy since August 2016.
He is described as being a tough-tackling midfielder, and signed as a first year scholar in summer 2019 ahead of the U18s Professional Development League campaign.
View this post on Instagram
However now he has been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma – a type of cancer that forms in T cells (a type of immune system cell). T-cell lymphomas may be either indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing).
It can develop in lymphoid tissues such as the lymph nodes and spleen, or outside of lymphoid tissues (i.e., gastrointestinal tract, liver, nasal cavity, skin, and others).
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
A statement from the Championship club said: “Barnsley Football Club are saddened to inform supporters that U18’s midfielder, Bayley Hassell, has been diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma.
“With provision of the Club’s medical team, Bayley has immediately begun a course of chemotherapy treatment. As a popular member of the academy set-up, he commences his battle with unwavering support from all at Oakwell.
“Updates on the midfielder’s progress will be provided via official Club Channels. Though we request privacy for him and his family at this time, messages of support can be submitted to reception@barnsleyfc.co.uk.
“Bayley is family, and the Barnsley FC family fight together. We are with you all of the way!”
Bayley wrote online: “As I’m getting questioned about it and people wondering etc might as well come out and say, for the past 5 weeks I had a cough and shortness of breath and didn’t fully pay attention to how serious this may have been.
“About 2 weeks ago I collapsed which then made me get rushed to hospital where I had multiple tests which came back and I was diagnosed with a T cell lymphoma Cancer which is the rarest type of it.
“They then said if I hadn’t come in hospital 2-3 days before I did it would have killed me so I’m thankful to still be here. I appreciate the support I’m getting and as treatment has started already only way is up now .”
MORE ON T-CELL LYMPHOMA
T-cell lymphomas are rare. They account for around 1 in 10 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Around 700 people are diagnosed with T-cell lymphomas in the UK each year.
Most T-cell lymphomas develop from mature T cells. They usually affect older adults, typically people in their mid-60s. They are more common in men than in women. Occasionally, T-cell lymphoma can develop from immature T cells. This is known as T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. It tends to affect children and young adults.
Best wishes to Bayley Hassell (Bobby Hassells son) in his battle against Lymphoma cancer. Awful news and all the best to the lad. #barnsleyfc pic.twitter.com/VSehHVqCEc
— Ryan Ibbeson (@ibbobfcryan) March 18, 2021
In most cases, it is not known what causes T-cell lymphomas. In a few types of T-cell lymphoma, research has shown that certain viral infections or medical conditions can increase the risk of developing lymphoma.
T-cell lymphomas are rare and can be difficult to diagnose with your doctor likely consult other centres that have expertise in T-cell lymphoma.
T-cell lymphoma is usually diagnosed based on a biopsy. A sample of tissue that is affected by lymphoma, such as a swollen lymph node, is removed and examined by an expert lymphoma pathologist. The pathologist does tests on the tissue to find out what type of lymphoma you have.
The patient will also have blood tests to look at general health and to check blood cell counts, making sure kidneys and liver are working well and rule out infections that could flare up when having treatment.
After treatment for T-cell lymphoma, patients will have regular follow-up appointments at the hospital. In general, they are seen every 2 to 3 months when treatment first ends, although this can vary depending on the particular circumstances and hospital’s policy. Appointments usually become less frequent over time.
Tributes pour out for the Barnsley player who is being treated for cancer…
❤️❤️ @Bhassell03 pic.twitter.com/xuAVINwcjn
— Breathe Barnsley (@breathebarnsley) March 20, 2021
@CJLewis_90: Came here to check out the news from your camp ahead of today’s game and saw this. Some things are more important than the football. His dad was always a battler on the pitch so if he takes after him then Bayley will soon kick this into touch. All the best.
@TommyTh01951861: So sorry to hear that, stay 💪 mate. Thoughts to you and your family. Much ❤️🔴
@longlaneroyal: Wishing you a speedy recovery Bayley
@MTFCMusings: Get well soon Bayley
@thompsonben92: Keep fighting Bayley. All reds fans are with you!
@RyanOv80: All the best Bayley. Get well soon. All the Stags are behind you
@1BretJohnson: Get well soon Bayley, keep fighting and beat this! I look forward to the ‘Hassel’ shirt dominating in the first team again one day!
@FraserNicholson: Keep going fella stay strong- from the north east ❤️
@SkyBlueJay: Best of luck Bayley, you’ve got this mate 👍🏻 Cov fan here
@OfficialBWFC: All the best Bayley. We’re all with you! 👊🏻
@stevlin80: Wishing you all the best with your treatment and praying for a speedy recovery
@rugbycricketer: Club loyalty pails into significance at the moment Sending best wishes for as full and speedy recovery as possible.. Keep fighting Bayley.. From a Tractorboy in Skipton
Everyone at @pcfc1906 wishes Bayley Hassell the best of luck and to let you know we’re all right behind you as you start your chemotherapy.
A few years back Bayley played a season for one of our Church junior sides before joining @BarnsleyFC pic.twitter.com/BgdlxvYr0b
— Penistone Church FC (@pcfc1906) March 21, 2021
@Only1Argyle: Get well soon, Bayley. 💚🔴
@mattybates33: Leeds fan here but rooting for you kid! Yorkshire is Yorkshire and we all stick together! All the best for your journey through this!
@JerIsher: Working Bayley a speedy recovery. Rivalry aside, we never ever want to see this kind of news. 💙🦉
@Dadders: Good luck to him in his recovery. There are no club colours or allegiances in the fight against C. All the best from #swfc. If he has the battling skills his dad had on the pitch, he’ll beat it
@hirstysboots: Some things transcend football – wishing the lad a speedy recovery.
@chrisrumbelow1: All the best Bayley, keep fighting lad 🍒🍒
@Andy_Squiff: Stay strong Bayley lad. I will be there in Ponty End to watch you pull that Reds shirt on one day and do your dad and all us Reds proud. You are part of the Barnsley Family. Bobby, all us Reds are there for you and your Family. Once a Red, ALWAYS a Red! #PrayforBayley
@Ryann_BRFC_95: Stay strong Bayley, football family is behind you 👊 – Bristol Rovers fan
@northerntops: Stay strong like your football team, from a Sheffield Wednesday fan.
@1961_ian: Get well soon Bayley. Keep fighting
@HugemusclesTroy: All the best bayley keep going best wishes keep fighting from an Ipswich fan
Meanwhile, Sol Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2021, and with the close support of the Club’s medical team, Sol has immediately started a course of chemotherapy treatment.
He recently provided an update on how his battle is getting on.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bamba confirmed he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and has already passed the halfway stage, completing three of the six sessions he has been scheduled in for.
“I am in good form and treatment is going well,” he said.
“It has been difficult, especially for my family, the kids and my wife, as well as my family back home.
“The support I have had from football and the world in general has been phenomenal. That helped me a lot and my family as well,” he added.
“I’ve done chemotherapy, the doctor planned for me to do six sessions, I’ve done three and I have another one on Tuesday, so that will be four and I will have two to go. After that, hopefully I should be clear.”
Bamba’s last chemotherapy session is to take place in the final week of April and he already has goals he hopes to achieve once this period of his life is behind him.
“First and foremost I want to get back [playing], that’s the main priority, but I am always looking forward.
“So, if I recover well and I am cleared to go by the doctor, maybe I will go back and play this season, maybe one game. One thing is for sure, I don’t want to finish that way.
“If not, I am prepared for the next stage and hopefully I can go into management,” he says, forthright that this will not be the final chapter of his footballing career.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login