A brave football-crazy teenager from Warrington is fighting a rare form of cancer for a second time.
Now loved ones are again rallying to help raise funds for 15-year-old Callum Foy as he battles a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, where tumours attach themselves to nerves in the body.
Family friend Chloe Crosby has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to turn the family’s outhouse into a wet room and bedroom so Callum can be comfortable in his own space and have easy access while on long-term chemotherapy.
Writing on the page, she said: “Any money raised will go towards supporting Callum and his family through this tragic time. Loss of earnings due to Callum being in hospital and the cost of fuel driving back and forth from hospital every week.”
“The cost of living is hard enough on families at the moment, let alone a family going through such a horrific time.
“I hope you can all join myself in supporting Callum Sophie, Gaz and family on fighting this horrible disease once again.”
Most of the time Calum’s tumours are benign, however they can turn malignant. When he was 10-years-old he had a large tumour which was growing rapidly in his neck, this was removed and doctors told the family the heartbreaking news it was cancerous.
He underwent chemotherapy and proton beam therapy to treat the tumour and rang the bell for the end of treatment on his 11th birthday. He was also diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 which doctors said was a low grade glioma and due to its location, the tumour cannot be removed.
In 2016, Callum had an operation to relieve pressure in the brain and had no issues until recently.
His mum Sophie Roberts says his brain tumour had changed and it was now “glowing on his scan and like it has fractured and there were now dark bits coming off it which were now a concern.
“When we got to the hospital to discuss chemo we were also told there was a tumour found in the side of the neck and one in the back of his neck, which doctors were going to take priority over his head tumour.”
Callum now has swallowing issues and a change in his voice due to the extent of surgery he has had and the family are awaiting results for the tumour on the back of his neck.
Despite the setbacks the football and rugby mad Callum tries to keep a positive mindset.
Sophie said: “He’s more concerned about missing the football. He’s doing really good and takes it all on the chin and carries on. Last time he was only 10, so this time he is a bit older and he is more aware around him of what is going on.”
Callum has received well wishes and support from his favourite football team Warrington Town and Warrington Wolves.
Recently, @BohanDixon visited Yellows fan Callum Foy in hospital to present him with a shirt signed by the Warrington Town first team squad ✍️💛
— Warrington Town FC (@theyellows) January 17, 2023
Thank you to our lovely mascots on Saturday – Callum & Riley Foy 💛💙
Both had a fantastic day meeting the lads behind the scenes, and even joining in the warm-up!
Callum’s favourite player is @BohanDixon, and you can imagine his Joy when Bohan scored a penalty 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1pxM3zYlsz
— Warrington Town FC (@theyellows) January 9, 2023
