16-year-old Harley Andrews died mere hours after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. His devastated family shared that their son complained of feeling unwell weeks prior to his passing but doctors told him he was likely experiencing a viral infection or “growing pains.”
Following that visit, the young football player displayed no symptoms until last weekend when he noticed blood in his urine. His dad, Kevin Edwards, and his stepmom took him to the Royal Bolton Hospital where they were told he had stage four leukemia. At that point, the cancer spread so much that it caused unreversible damage to his internal organs and brain, causing internal bleeding.
Kaylee Jackson, a close friend of Harley’s mom, Gemma, started a GoFundMe to the help the family with the expenses, the Mirror reported.
The fundraiser, which helped raise £8,824 at the time of publication, says, “Harley was a bright, kind, and loving young soul who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. His passing has left an incredible void in our community.
“No parent should ever have to face such unimaginable pain, and no family should have to worry about financial burdens while grieving the loss of their child.
The fundraiser is hoping to “ease some of the financial strain” on Harley’s grieving family, helping toward funeral costs, time away from work and “any other expenses they face during this heartbreaking time.”
Harley’s mom posted an update on the page, “on behalf of myself, kev and [the] rest of the family,” expressing the family’s appreciation to everyone who donated.
In her message, she said: “We really do appreciate and seeing how loved Harley was brings comfort to us.”
Kaylee, who worked with Harley at Newton Westpark Primary School as a teaching assistant, remembered him as an “all-round good kid” who cared deeply for his five brothers and four sisters.
“He was all about family, always with his brothers and sisters and friends,” she told the Daily Mail. “Harley used to love playing football in the street with the kids and giving them piggybacks.”
She noted that he was “just one of those kids that everyone got along with” and said “it’s a real shame because he was just starting off in life.”
Harley was playing for Leigh Town and Astley & Tyldesley FC, as well as Leigh East Rugby Club.
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