An 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with cancer days after complaining of earache has received touching video messages of support from some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, England manager Gareth Southgate and former boxing world champion Tony Bellew are just some of the superstars who have sent Thomas Cunningham video messages of support.
The talented footballer, from Wavertree Garden Suburb, Liverpool, who has had trials with Liverpool and Everton, was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after complaining that his left ear hurt.
Thomas was told the crushing news in May and concerned doctors found that the cancer, which originates in the lymph system, had spread from his neck and chest to his spleen and lungs.
Thomas Cunningham (pictured), 11, from Wavertree Garden Suburb, Liverpool, who has had trials with Liverpool and Everton, was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after complaining that his left ear hurt
Former club captain, Steven Gerrard, (pictured) said in a touching video: ‘Everyone is right behind you. Keep your chin up’
He is now sidelined from the game he loves and is enduring 12 months of brutal treatment including chemotherapy and steroid intakes to combat his breathing difficulties when lying down.
But the big Liverpool fan and former season ticket holder has been ‘overwhelmed’ after some of the club’s legends reached out days after his heartbreaking diagnosis.
Former club captain, Steven Gerrard, said in a touching video: ‘Everyone is right behind you. Keep your chin up.
‘I’ve heard you’re a fantastic little footballer and a big red and a great little kid. I just wanted to send you my best wishes.
Liz said her brave son Thomas (pictured) has helped the family, including his sister Katie, 17 and brother Joseph, 15, cope with the ordeal
England manager Gareth Southgate (pictured) was amongst some of the huge sporting superstars who sent Thomas Cunningham video a message of support
‘I will keep in touch to find out how you are getting on and when I’m out of this lockdown if you want to come see me and meet me it would be a pleasure.
‘Take care of yourself and look after yourself.’
In another video, former Liverpool player and manager, Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March, added: ‘Everyone is on your side wee man.
‘We are all cheering for you and hopefully we will be able to bring you some luck. Your mum and dad are more important than anybody else but if it helps you a little bit with us muppets sending you a video of good luck then it’s no problem.
‘Wee man, be strong, hope everything goes fantastically well for you.’
Thomas’s mother, Liz Cunningham, said the messages, which included ones from Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher and fellow strikers Robbie Fowler and Peter Crouch, have been a massive boost for her son.
‘I think he has been totally overwhelmed,’ explained the mother-of-three. ‘He lives and breathes football and football is his whole life. These videos put a smile on his face.’
Thomas’s mother, Liz Cunningham, said the messages, which included ones from Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher and fellow strikers Robbie Fowler and Peter Crouch, have been a massive boost for her son (pictured)
The big Liverpool fan and former season ticket holder has been ‘overwhelmed’ after some of the club’s legends reached out to him. He is now sidelined from the game he loves and is enduring 12 months of brutal treatment
Thomas (pictured) was diagnosed after he went to bed early one Friday night in May after complaining his left ear ached
Thomas was diagnosed after he went to bed early one Friday night in May after complaining his left ear ached.
The next morning, Liz noticed two pea-sized lumps – one on his left clavicle and one on the left hand side of his neck.
‘They were the first thing I saw when I woke him up,’ she said. ‘I asked what they were and he said he’d had them for ages but hadn’t told me because he didn’t think it was anything to worry about.’
Liz rushed Thomas to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after speaking to a nurse online.
He underwent tests and five days later he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is rare for someone of his age and the lumps were cancerous lymph nodes.
The football-obsessed youngster no longer has the energy for football but kicks the ball around the house on good days. Pictured: Thomas with his father
Sir Kenny Dalglish (left), who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March, added: ‘Everyone is on your side wee man’. Even legends from Liverpool’s rivals Everton, including their assistant manager Duncan Ferguson (right), have reached out to send Thomas a message
‘To be told your child has cancer is possibly the worst news any parent can be given,’ Liz said. ‘My whole world collapsed around me that second.
‘To think of him having to go through all this is just so unfair. Why my son? He’s always been so fit, healthy and full of life.
‘The diagnosis didn’t just put one family’s life on hold for at least the next 12 months, it has devastated so many friends and family around us.’
Liz added her brave son has helped the family, including his sister Katie, 17 and brother Joseph, 15, cope with the ordeal.
‘He has been amazing,’ she explained. ‘He has helped me through it. He hasn’t cried once or been upset.
‘He has just accepted it and says he will be alright in a year and can get back to his footy after.
‘His determination could teach us adults an awful lot and he’s been the strongest through this and we know he will beat it.’
Thomas is now enduring six to 12 months months of chemo and may possibly have to have radiation treatment on the left side of his chest afterwards.
John Howes, the manager of his football team, Dynamo Childwall, contacted some famous sports stars to gather some support for Thomas after hearing about his star striker’s diagnosis.
The football-obsessed youngster no longer has the energy for football but kicks the ball around the house on good days.
In the meantime, Thomas is itching for the Premier League to return so he can see his beloved Liverpool win their first title in his lifetime.
‘He can’t wait,’ Liz added. ‘It will be big for him to have the football back and he has been told he will get a box when it comes back properly and he will meet the players.’
Even legends from Liverpool’s rivals Everton, including their assistant manager Duncan Ferguson, have reached out to send Thomas a message.
Thomas (pictured) is itching for the Premier League to return so he can see his beloved Liverpool win their first title in his lifetime
Thomas pictured with his mother Liz, sister Katie and brother Joseph. Family friend, Andy Forshaw, has set up a GoFundMe page to support Thomas and his family which has already raised more than £4,000
He said: ‘Try not to worry too much. The doctors, nurses and hospitals are fantastic. Believe me you will be back playing with your football team in no time at all.
‘Stay positive mate. Everything will be fine, I promise. One good thing is you will be off school for a year – I hated school.
‘I’m sure you love your school. You will be back in 12 months and it will fly. Try not to worry too much. We are all thinking of you.’
Fellow Everton fan and recently retired boxer, Tony Bellew, added: ‘Mate you are so, so brave and you are doing absolutely fantastic. Keep your chin up my thoughts are with you pal.
‘You can get through this, keep fighting strong and fighting hard.’
Liverpool and England fullback, Trent Alexandra-Arnold, has also sent Thomas a pair of signed boots.
Family friend, Andy Forshaw, has set up a GoFundMe page to support Thomas and his family which has already raised more than £4,000.
The money will support the family over the next few months and Liz said she was ‘shocked’ by the support and pledged to donate some of the money to charity.