Bradley Lowery dies aged six as ‘fighter’ who captured the nation’s hearts passes away in his parents’ arms after he loses cancer battle
BRAVE Bradley Lowery has died in his devastated parents' arms after his battle with terminal cancer captured the nation's hearts.
The six-year-old's heartbroken family revealed the tragic news in a Facebook post today where they paid tribute to their "little superhero".
Footie-mad Brad's courageous battle against rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma touched the hearts of millions of people inspired by his determination to keep fighting.
The Facebook page had earlier updated its profile picture to one of Bradley looking smart in a waistcoat and tie with a massive grin on his face.
His devastated mum Gemma later revealed the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post saying: "My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family.
"He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where.
"There are no words to describe how heart broken we are.
"Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words.
"Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels."
The post was flooded with tributes from well-wishers and supporters saying they hoped the brave lad was at peace now.
Sunderland also paid tribute to the Black Cats superfan after his death.
They said former player Jermain Defoe – who struck up a close bond with the little lad – was “heartbroken”.
The club also said Bradley had captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club with his indomitable spirit, tremendous courage and beautiful smile”.
The statement read: “Despite battling neuroblastoma for much of his all too short life, he demonstrated a bravery and fortitude beyond his years that humbled us all.
“He was truly an inspiration.
“His heart-warming friendship with players and staff alike epitomised the impact this wonderful little boy had on everyone he met. He had a special relationship with Jermain Defoe and their feelings for each other were evident for all to see.
Jermain, naturally, is heartbroken.”
The club said the brave boy’s story had “touched” the wider football community paying thanks to fans from around the country.
Bradley had struck up a close bond with captain Jermain Defoe – Bradley’s “best friend”, who revealed his pain at finding out best pal Bradley Lowery’s cancer was spreading fast – and that he didn't have long left to live.
The England striker would text the six-year-old’s mum first thing every morning for updates on the brave Sunderland lad.
Defoe and Bradley became close back in September when the young cancer sufferer led out his beloved Sunderland against Everton at the Stadium of Light.
The footballer described walking out on to the pitch with the little mascot as the highlight of his time at the club.
Bradley's tragic death follows a heart-rending fight against agonising childhood cancer neuroblastoma.
He was diagnosed with the aggressive disease when he was just 18 months old, and tumours spread through his chest, lungs, lymph nodes, bone and bone marrow.
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After major surgery and gruelling chemotherapy, he pulled through and went into remission for 18 months.
But last July, his mum Gemma revealed the cancer had returned, and more than £700,000 was raised to send him to the US for special antibody treatment.
Then in December, his family were dealt the crushing blow his disease was terminal and the US treatment would only give them more time and could even kill him.
Brave Brad underwent radical immuno-therapy treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital as a last chance, but tragically it failed.
The little man and his family treasured every moment they had together in the weeks leading up to his death.
Brave Bradley had recently enjoyed a beach holiday with his family after Gemma and dad Carl were told he had just weeks to live.
Gemma shared a touching snap of the Sunderland superfan beaming as he clutched a lollipop while “making the most of everything” on the trip.
She said: “We were told 3 weeks ago he had weeks to live and he is still going. I am so proud of him he is my little super star.
“I know he could change any day now and when that time comes it’s going to be the hardest thing I've ever had to do but for now we making the most of everything.”
What is Neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that most commonly afflicts babies and young children.
The disease develops from special nerve cells, known as neuroblasts, which get left behind from the child’s development in the womb.
It mostly begins in the sufferer’s adrenal glands located above the kidneys but can occur in the nerve tissue that runs along the spinal cord in the neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis.
The vicious illness can then spread to other organs like the bone, bone marrow, lymph nodes and skin.
Neuroblastoma afflicts around 100 children a year in the UK but the cause of the disease is still not known.
Its symptoms can include:
- a swollen painful tummy, sometimes in association with constipation and difficulty passing urine
- breathlessness and difficulty swallowing
- a lump in the neck
- blueish lumps in the skin and bruising, particularly around the eyes
- weakness in the legs and an unsteady walk, with numbness in the lower body, constipation and difficulty passing urine
- fatigue, loss of energy, pale skin, loss of appetite and weight loss
- bone pain, a limp and general irritability
- jerky eye and muscle movements
Bradley’s mum also posted a photo of him smiling behind the wheel of the car as the family headed on the trip.
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that most commonly affects babies and young children.
The disease develops from special nerve cells, known as neuroblasts, which get left behind from the child’s development in the womb.
It mostly begins in the sufferer’s adrenal glands located above the kidneys but can occur in the nerve tissue that runs along the spinal cord in the neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis.
The vicious illness can then spread to other organs like the bone, bone marrow, lymph nodes and skin.
How Bradley Lowery's inspiring story touched the nation
Bradley was born on May 17, 2011, and diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma - a cancer of the nervous system - just two years later.
He underwent surgery to remove large tumours then went through high-dosage chemotherapy.
His determined parents Gemma and Carl, from County Durham , set up a £700,000 fund-raising appeal to cover the cost of pioneering antibody treatment for him in the US.
In 2014, after a gruelling two-year fight against the disease, the family were told Bradley was in remission.
But in June 2016, the family were dealt the devastating blow that Bradley had a tumour under his lung. The cancer came back but this time it was an aggressive form of the disease.
Gemma began fundraising for Bradley again and raised awareness of his story on social media with a touching post saying: "Imagine if your world was torn apart not only once but twice. Imagine getting told that your child has terminal cancer. What would you do? I tell you what I have done: I will fight until there is no fight left”.
In September, the footie-mad youngster is invited to be a mascot for his beloved Sunderland in a match against Everton.
After fundraising continues for travel and any extra medical treatment Bradley might need, a bash is held at the Stadium of Light in his honour with celebs showing their support.
Beaming Brad attends the Braveheart Awards for children in St James' Park in November and is thrilled to receive his own trophy.
In December, Bradley's parents are told his cancer is terminal. The US trip is no longer a possibility but the hope is for a version of that antibody therapy over here.
He is later invited to be a mascot at Sunderland again when they played Chelsea on December 14. His team lose the match but Bradley raises the spirits by scoring a goal against Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic who later tweeted he finds him an “inspiration”. He later won BBC’s Match of the Day’s Goal of the Month honour.
On December 23, the community rallied together to open more than 250,000 Christmas cards sent to the Bradley from across the globe.
Bradley heads off to Disneyland Paris on January 8 thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation. Gemma posts a video of excited Bradley on social media.
On January 31 the brave youngster returned Blackhall Colliery Primary School where he was greeted with hugs by his classmates.
But the next month he has to return to the Royal Victoria Infirmary to undergo the second round of the chemotherapy and antibody treatment after the family are told the devastating news his cancer was terminal. He is visited by his Sunderland heroes in hospital with a photo of "best friend" Jermain Defoe hugging him going viral.
On February 22, Gemma reveals the youngster’s cancer has spread and a new tumour had been found at the bottom of his back. She said: "As you can imagine we are devastated and heart broken with this news as I really wanted the new treatment to work. Why is life so cruel?”
In a post to Facebook on May 10, Bradley’s mum Gemma had told how “things are moving too fast” after an MRI scan showed his condition had taken a turn for the worse. The family had to cancel his holiday to Disneyland, as doctors confirmed a new tumour had been found in his neck.
Days later it was revealed he is having palliative care as he also has tumours in his lungs and the cancer is “spreading at a fast rate”.
In June 2017, his devastated mum posted a heartbreaking picture of the pained youngster with his older brother – as she revealed he is “deteriorating fast”.
A heart-rending Facebook update on July 5 described the brave tot as “very close to going with the angels”.
And by the end of the month, Bradley had just days to live – but was still putting on a brave face, having a “bed party” where he said goodbyes to loved ones before snuggling up with Jermain Defoe.
Mum Gemma revealed Bradley had passed away today in a Facebook post paying tribute to "our little superhero".
Any money raised which does not go towards Bradley’s treatment will be put into the to support others going through the same ordeal.