The young cancer patient Bradley Lowery’s recent scans have shown his cancer has now grown.
This has left his mother and father with a few short months together with five-year-old Bradley.
Gemma Lowery, Bradley’s mother, said: “I honestly have no words to how heart-broken I am right now.
“I really don’t know how I’m going to make a decision either to take my baby home and have a couple of months with him or put him through more gruelling treatment that could leave him fighting for his life and to have the same outcome.”
His parents from Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool have been trying to raise £700,000 for treatment in the United States. They have been given the option to end the treatment for more time in a home environment.
Doctors in the UK have offered an oral form of chemotherapy commonly used as palliative care. They have however been advised that the treatment may not have much effect on Bradley’s condition.
The last option would be to bring Bradley to America for an antibody-chemotherapy combination which would hopefully use Bradley’s natural immune system to help fight the cancer.
However it is believed that no matter which choice is taken by Gemma and Carl Lowery, it is feared the outcome will remain the same and little Bradley will lose his fight.
Lynn Murphy, Fundraising manager for Bradley’s campaign, has said: “Its a very hard time for Bradley’s family, the decisions they make are going to be the hardest decisions of their life, as a team we are behind them 1000%.”
An outpouring of sadness and support has been flooding in on twitter since the news of Bradley’s worsening condition has been made public, starting with the football club who have shoved his fight into the limelight.
https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/806799268505743360
Fans of the club are looking to organise a minute’s applause for the young man during the 5th minute of their game at the Stadium of Light against chelsea.
We would like to invite all #SAFC / #CFC fans to join us in chanting #onebradleylowery during the 5th minute of the game on the 14/12/2016 pic.twitter.com/mpdRMMBOFB
— SunderlandRed (@sunderlandred) December 8, 2016
A candlelit vigil has also been organised by Sunderland City Council in order to show support for Bradley.
Brilliant idea @Bradleysfight pic.twitter.com/4RyMRZjhLQ
— Sunderland.City (@SunderlandCity) December 8, 2016
Newcastle fans are also trying to organise a minutes applause at their game against Birmingham on Saturday, a notion that has highlighted that rivalry on the pitch is not everything.
Newcastle fans support Sunderland fan Bradley https://t.co/mIPPIXF5Z3 #bradleylowery #bradleysfight @NUFC @SunderlandAFC pic.twitter.com/rnJYQrpsBu
— ITV News Tyne Tees (@itvtynetees) December 8, 2016
Big respect to #nufc arranging a chant for Bradley. Rivals on the pitch but united for Bradley #safc #onebradleylowery
— Steph Charlton (@Stephburt21) December 8, 2016
In September little Bradley lead his team out against Everton as the official match mascot and after the game Everton donated £200,000 to Bradley’s cause, and their fan account has shown their sadness at the news.
Gutted. Absolutely gutted. @Bradleysfight pic.twitter.com/xFEAWgijRb
— EFC Feelin Blue (@EFCFeelinBlue) December 7, 2016
A flood of sympathy from everyone touched by his story have flooded out on twitter.
We love you @Bradleysfight and we're all with you! #OneBradleyLowery
— Debra Fox (@DebraFoxJP) December 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/sayerseve/status/806575597468192768
@danmfc90 @Bradleysfight I'm a father to two young lads and I can't imagine the pain you are going through. Thinking of you and Bradley
— Dazzler (@dvidamour) December 7, 2016
The official Bradley’s fight twitter account issued this show of gratefulness for all of the support.
Thank you to everyone for your support. https://t.co/W3N6WWarah
— Bradley Lowery (@Bradleysfight) December 8, 2016
Words by John Brownbridge and Ryan Lim