Former Wales football international Jason Bowen has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, his family have confirmed.
The ex-winger, 50, will be loved by many in south Wales owing to his stellar football career which spanned all three Football League clubs. He was also capped twice by his country between 1994 and 1996.
Bowen, who also played for Birmingham City, Reading and Llanelli, was given the devastating diagnosis in March 2021, 13 years after his wife Hayley's mum had died of the disease.
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The Bowen name will be a familiar one to younger football fans in south Wales, too, with Jason's son Sam having come through Cardiff's academy in recent years before being handed his first-team debut by Mick McCarthy. The 22-year-old midfielder has followed in his father's footsteps and now plays for Newport County.
As well as footballer Sam, Jason, who now lives in Langstone, Newport, is father to Jaye and Theo and a grandfather to Carter. He’s the son of Terry and Louise and brother to Ricky.
He played more than 100 times for each of Swansea City, Cardiff City, Newport and Llanelli during his career.
The GoFundMe page aims to raise £10,000 to help towards the cost of treating the disease, which at present has no cure. So far more than £5,000 has been raised.
A statement on his GoFundMe page reads: "When we first discovered that Jason had MND tears were shed, anger expressed, and a feeling of total and utter despair set in.
"However, despite such negative emotions and experiences, these past 18 months since diagnosis have also shown us the power of positivity, friendship, love and community as friends, family and colleagues have all pulled together to help.
"Jason’s family’s attitude is amazing. They are strong, loving and supportive. They are not giving up and looking for any treatments that will help Jason now and in the future.
"The main objective of our fundraising is to provide financial support to cover Jason’s ongoing medical costs. These include holistic treatments, supplements, daily living aids, hydrotherapy and Specialist Neuro physiology at the wonderful Morello Clinic in Langstone. This will also enable us to explore new avenues to help Jason and his family."
MND has been in the headlines in recent years owing to the amazing fundraising efforts of rugby union star Doddie Weir and rugby league legend Rob Burrows, both of whom have suffered with the disease. Weir passed away last November, aged 52. Former Swansea player Lenny Johnrose, also 52, passed away last August five years after being diagnosed with the disease.
If you would like to make a donation to help Jason, please click here.
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