The Former Players Association is saddened to hear the news that Dale Legend, Joe Thompson has announced on his social media that his cancer has returned (his letter to us all is printed below)
Having made his Dale debut on 2nd May 2006 against Carlisle United, he made 175 appearances, scoring 19 goals before playing for Tranmere Rovers, Bury, Wrexham, Southport and Carlisle United.
Joe is Dale to the core and has shown that this nasty disease can be beaten, he has done it twice, we want to help him do it again.
The link to the go fund me page that Joe has set up is (please donate generously)
Dear friends and supporters,
I am Joe Thompson and my journey has been one of resilience and hope. Once a professional footballer, my life took an unexpected turn in 2013 when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The joy of fatherhood was overshadowed by this daunting challenge, but with courage and determination, I faced six months of chemotherapy and emerged in remission.
The battle seemed to be won, but life had other plans. On Christmas Eve 2016, 3 years later. I faced the harsh reality of a relapse.
I had to endure a stem cell transplant, where I spent 18 days in isolation, a period that tested my sanity but also showcased the strength of the human spirit.
Now, the cancer has returned with a vengeance, spreading to my lungs. In the face of adversity, I’ve been collaborating with oncologists and scientists, self-funding research to uncover the root cause of my recurring illness.
Today, I reach out to you with a heartfelt plea for support. We aim to raise £250,000 to cover the costs of my ongoing treatment and to pioneer a ground
breaking test that could prevent the recurrence of not only my cancer but potentially save countless lives in the future.
As a family we have self funded the treatment and worked with the scientists so far with our own savings near on six figures but we still have a long way to go and would not have the opportunity to continue with the research and treatment without your support.
Your generosity can make a world of difference. Any amount you can contribute will be deeply valued and will bring us closer to a future where no family has to endure this struggle alone.