Nine-year-old football fan whose sporting injury turned out to be rare cancer meets Liverpool FC hero  

A football fan, who will be spending his 10th birthday in hospital, has had his spirits lifted after meeting Liverpool FC captain, Virgil van Dijk. 

When Harry Mills, nine, started suffering with a persistent pain in his right leg it was assumed the young sportsman had injured himself playing football at school. 

After a cautionary visit to the physiotherapist, Harry was sent home on crutches with instructions to ice and compress his leg.  

But after seeing little improvement over 11 weeks, Harry’s dad, Andy Mills, knew something was not right and took his son to see a private knee surgeon.  

It was then that Harry was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, a rare form of cancer which accounts for less than 1% of all cancers.  

Now, on the run up to his 10th birthday, Harry is facing 18 weeks of chemotherapy and invasive surgery to remove any bone and muscle in his leg which the cancer has affected. 

Talking about the surgery his dad Andy said: “An implant will be inserted into Harry’s leg to substitute the removed bone and muscle. Every six months it will need to be expanded with magnets, to keep up with Harry’s growth. The implant will last about five years and will then need replacing, so he’ll be in and out of hospital for the rest of his life. 

“Harry has always been a big fan of sports and played football, cricket and rugby. It’s likely that he’ll never be able to play competitively as his leg muscle will never be as big as it needs to be, so he’ll be restricted.”  

However, Harry recently received a much-needed boost when he was invited to watch his favourite team, Liverpool FC, play Everton at Anfield stadium. 

After the match, Harry got to meet the entire Liverpool squad where he received a signed personalised Liverpool FC shirt and the captain’s armband.  

Harry was particularly thrilled to meet – and even hug – Liverpool’s star defender, Virgil van Dijk. 

The support Harry has received since his diagnosis has been huge.  

Recently a group of his classmates shaved their heads in solidarity with Harry’s recovery, raising over £30,000 on JustGiving for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity, who support families affected by the disease.  

Andy, who set up the JustGiving page, said: “All of the support for Harry has been amazing and being invited down to see his favourite team play on their home turf was an incredible boost. 

“As for the fundraising, 12 of his classmates took part in the head shave and I was amazed that they actually did it! What those boys have done for my son is just incredible.” 

Harry, who is currently on his fourth round of chemotherapy, has been unable to attend school due to his treatment.  

Andy recalled: “When the doctor first gave us the diagnosis, the only words I can remember him saying are ‘if we can treat your son’. It was a pretty horrendous thing to hear. We spent the next two weeks not knowing if our son could be treated.  

“Luckily, when we went back, they told us that Harry could be treated via chemotherapy and surgery. It’s going to be a long road with 18 rounds of chemotherapy to complete in total.” 

As well as the head shave, Harry’s sisters, Laura, 30, and Abi, 21, also took part in an 80-mile walk and raised more than £5,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer.  

Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: “Harry is a superstar. Despite all that he is sadly going through, he and his 12 amazing classmates, decided to bravely help other young people affected by cancer and have raised an incredible £30,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer. 

“From everyone at JustGiving we are sending best wishes to Harry and we hope he had a wonderful time meeting his football hero.” 

To donate to Harry’s JustGiving page, click here. 

NOTES TO EDITOR

For further information contact  press@justgiving.com

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