When Harley Andrews († 16) he began to complain that he was not feeling wellhe and his mom Gemma they were assured it was a viral infection or growing pains. But as soon as they noticed blood in the urinethe situation has fundamentally changed. Further investigations revealed that the teenager suffers from an aggressive form of blood cancer and tragically he died just a few hours later informs .
Harley was from Leigh in Greater Manchester. He had no obvious symptoms until last weekend when he noticed blood in his urine. On Saturday 8th November he was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he diagnosed with leukemia. He died just a few hours later.
“On Saturday he started to feel tired so he went to the hospital with his dad Kevin and step-mum to get checked out,” said his teacher. “Gemma thought she just needed antibiotics, she certainly wasn’t expecting news like this.” She added that the parents did not consider it possible that he could be seriously ill. “I don’t think it’s dawned on them yet,” she noted.
According to her, he was a polite, versatile and nice boy. He was also family-oriented and liked to spend time with his family. He also played football, first for his father’s team Leigh Town, then from January 2023 for Astley & Tyldesley FC, where he was considered a key part of the league’s victory also the cup in 2024, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Family friend Kaylee Jackson, who grew up with Harley’s mom, decided to create a collection. So far, they have managed to collect £ 6,500 (approximately € 7,400, editor’s note.). The second collection raised almost £2,000 (approximately €2,280, editor’s note). “His warm heart, sparkling smile and love of football touched everyone who knew him. Whether he was on the field or cheering from the stands, the game brought him immense joy and brought people together.” it is stated in the description of the collection.
People remember him as a boy who never gave up. “He was one of those players who always got back on his feet and carried on, never complained and was well liked by everyone involved in the game.” wrote one of the supporters. Local rugby team Leigh East, where he played in the juniors, wrote on social media that they are deeply saddened to announce the departure of one of their former youth players. “Once an East boy, always an East boy,” added.
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the blood cells in the bone marrow, usually white blood cells. Symptoms can be very non-specific and easily confused with common diseases. The disease is divided into acute (aggressive, develops over days to weeks) and chronic (slower), the acute form is more common in young people.
