An “exceptional” young footballer has started treatment for lymphoma after his younger brother spotted lumps on his neck.
Callum Lane, 14, has completed his first course of chemotherapy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, having first seen a GP three weeks ago. The Liverpool fan from Runcorn is now facing an estimated three-and-a-half years of treatment to treat the aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma - a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes.
Diagnosis followed a gruelling round of medical tests. Despite the difficult news, the world of grassroots football has rallied to Callum's cause, and dad Andy, 37, told the ECHO the “amazing” outpouring of support including from both of Callum’s clubs Heath Rangers Barca and Weston Point Phoenix “reduces you to tears”.
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As well as messages from well-wishers far and wide, a fundraiser launched by Heath Rangers coach Gav Hanson, 44, to help Callum’s parents Andy and Stacey and family, raised more than £13,000 in three days, leaving organser Gav “in tears” and the club “blown away”.
Gav said Callum’s teammates, who are based in Runcorn, were so shocked by their friend’s illness that the emotions again showed as they stepped up to take their winning penalties in a recent tie against a Birkenhead side because they were “so desperate to win it for Callum”.
Coach Gav told the ECHO: “We found out about three weeks ago that he was going to be seriously unwell. It’s just happened so fast because of the severity of his diagnosis.
“He ended up in hospital after two weeks and and on chemotherapy at the end of that first week.
“You can imagine the effect that’s had on the family and we just tried to pull together to give them one less thing to worry about.”
Reacting to the public’s “heartwarming” response to the Kick Callum’s Cancer appeal, he said: “It’s just exploded.
“I think a lot of the support has come from other grassroots football teams, it’s almost like the grassroots football teams have their own little community and the support’s been overwhelming.”
Backers have included Runcorn Linnets FC’s “Akidemy” programme, whose players raised and donated £420.
Callum’s club mates, who include Gav’s own footballing son, are now keen to show “we’re on his side” including an offer to shave their heads.
Andy, Callum’s dad, said the family’s “done all the crying now” and although their focus is now on the treatment, he was keen to urge anyone else to act fast and make sure to have lumps checked out.
He told the ECHO: “He’s had his first round of chemo, it’s about taking each day as it comes now.
“Three weeks (ago) we took him to the GP because his brother shouted me to say he had lumps on his neck.
“Callum already knew but decided not to tell anybody not knowing if it’s something or nothing. We took him to the GP three weeks ago - Alder Hey have moved really quickly.
“It’s felt an eternity but three weeks and he’s had his first lot of treatment and it’s amazing.”
Callum was already showing signs of responding to his course of medicine.
Andy said: “His appetite’s come back, he’s in the chair, he’s out of his bed to the point where he might be coming off fluids because his bloods are looking good.”
Urging others to make sure to have symptoms checked out by a doctor, Andy said: “I supposed the message is: if you’ve got lumps, go and get them checked, most of the time it’ll be something or nothing.”
Support the appeal at gofundme.com
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