Former Tranmere footballer shares powerful picture as he begins fighting cancer with stem cell therapy – Liverpool Echo

Former Tranmere Rovers player Joe Thompson has shared an inspiring photo as he begins stem cell therapy to battle his cancer.

The 28-year-old is battling the disease for the second time, after first discovering tumours in his neck in 2013.

The footballer played 32 games for Rovers in 2012 and 2013, before being diagnosed with nodular sclerosing Hodgkins disease.

He fought through six months of chemotherapy before returning to football, joining Bury and then starting at Rochdale last summer.

Now Joe has shared a brave photo from hospital, as he undergoes stem cell therapy.

Posting the picture to Twitter he said: Little Update, First day of the Stem Cell Harvest Process! Docs are very surprised with how good my blood counts are! Hearts super fit.

When he first announced his cancer had resturned in March Joe said his wife and daughter were his daily motivation.

He said: I will fight this life hurdle with the same belief, courage and desire as my previous battle.

The support shown to me since I discovered my illness has returned has been immense.

I would like to thank my wife, Chantelle, who was my rock in my first encounter and will once again be by my side with the same encouragement, discipline and strength.

Not to mention the love shown to me by both my wife and beautiful daughter Thailula-Lily who are both my motivations daily.

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Former Tranmere footballer shares powerful picture as he begins fighting cancer with stem cell therapy - Liverpool Echo