'Our son was injured in rugby, but he had cancer'

BBC News

8 hours ago

"Harrison has soldiered on. He is a warrior, a real champion. I'm so proud," says dad Mitchell of his son, who has been diagnosed with cancer.The 13-year-old, from Leicester, first complained of back pain after he was injured while playing rugby at school in December last year - but, as time went on, it got worse and he was forced to give up playing football for his team, Thurmaston Magpies, in February.His family were told the following month that he had multiple tumours - in his spine, spleen, stomach, liver, lung and kidneys.Harrison's parents are now planning an event to raise money to pay for future treatment for their son, as well as to support other children with cancer.
When Harrison's pain worsened, his mum Lindzey, 34, says the family "instinctively knew there was something possibly seriously wrong".During initial visits to A&E, the family say they were told the teenager might be suffering from growing pains or something muscular.But Lindzey says that "didn't fit with what we were seeing with Harrison" and so, in March, they insisted he was admitted to hospital for tests.A subsequent MRI scan confirmed Harrison had cancer.The family say they were initially told he had germ cell cancer, but his dad, Mitchell, 36, says they have now been told it is likely to be another rare form of the disease.Investigations are continuing to determine what type of cancer Harrison has and his prognosis is currently unknown.
Harrison has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy, which Mitchell says has stabilised the tumours."We are hoping the latest one is a lot stronger and will shrink his tumours," he adds."But we know there are no certainties."Harrison says he has had "some really good days off chemotherapy and then some really bad days", adding: "Food can taste strange and some drinks feel fizzy when they are really not."The Leicester City season ticketholder is being supported through his treatment by his two younger brothers, aged nine and 11.And in April, Harrison received a visit from his favourite Leicester City player, Kasey McAteer, who stopped by the family home to wish him well with his treatment.Harrison says: "He gave me some boots he signed. They are really nice."What a lovely present. It made my day."
Mitchell says the family has been "overwhelmed with support from the local community".They will hold a community fun day at Birstall United FC on 30 August - the proceeds of which the family say will be used to support Harrison, while some of the money raised will be used to support Ward 27 at Leicester Royal Infirmary and cancer charities.The family say the care Harrison has received following his diagnosis has been "fantastic", but they question whether his condition could have been picked up sooner and have complained to the trust about it.Mitchell says: "It's been a hell of a journey."Gang Xu, deputy medical director at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, says: "We know this is an incredibly difficult time for Harrison and his family, and we understand they have questions around his diagnosis."We are working closely with the family to help provide answers."We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks for their efforts to help raise money to support other children being treated for cancer."Fundraising like this can make a real difference to young patients and their families."