A teen has been told he will have to undergo chemotherapy after finding a ping pong ball sized lump on the side of his neck.
Alfie Connell, from Bootle but now lives in Walton, felt unwell last month, with his family putting it down to the stresses of revising for his upcoming GCSEs in May. But when he found a lump on the back of his neck they knew something was amiss.
His parents, Antoinette and Ashley took the 15-year-old to the walk-in centre where they were told them to take him to hi GP first thing the next day. After a trip to the doctors, they were immediately referred to Alder Hey for tests.
READ MORE: 14 Liverpool politicians had parking fines cancelled through council 'back door'
Speaking to the ECHO, Alfie's cousin Alex McCormick, 25, said: "You never think that something like this is going to happen to you or your family. With him only being 15 you can't fathom that he has cancer."
Alfie was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the end of January 2023, an uncommon type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and then spreads throughout your body. Alex continued: "Alfie is going to need at least four months of chemotherapy. The hospital has been incredible.
"They've got everything done so quickly. We're hoping that after the chemo he will recover.
"He's great. It's so strange describing him to someone who doesn't know him. He was looking to go to college to do a painting and decorating course. He prefers to be hands-on.
"He's so lovely and an amazing lad. Because Alfie is the most gorgeous kid he asked his friends from school for questions to ask the nurses when his results came back. He wanted to treasure his mum and ask some really intelligent questions."
Alex's younger brother, Michael, 22, is now raising money for Alder Hey by shaving his head while Alfie undergoes chemotherapy. Writing in the fundraiser, Michael said: "We have both got absolutely cracking heads of hair and as Alfie is going to lose his through chemo, I’ve decided to shave mine off and raise some money for the incredible team at Alder Hey.
"Nobody should have to go through this and we are so incredibly lucky to have Alder Hey and our NHS."
To read more, click here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Fallen cocaine kingpin tells court he has no money for lawyers
Mum's fury as kids' school dinners 'taken from plates' over debt
