FOOTBALLER Jermain Defoe is rallying Sunderland supporters to help a young Newcastle fan living with cancer receive a potentially life-saving vaccine in New York.
The Bradley Lowery Foundation, of which Defoe is a patron, is working with Rocco Troiano’s family to raise £230,000 to enable the poorly to access a pioneering new treatment, which is currently available only in North America, to help reduce his risk of relapse.
Rocco, three, from Jarrow, was diagnosed last year with stage four neuroblastoma, which is the same form of childhood cancer as Bradley Lowery.
Read more: Bradley Lowery charity helping to raise funds for Rocco Troiano
He has been undergoing intensive frontline treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, operations and antibody treatments, at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
The results so far have been positive, and he has responded well, however the relapse rate for this type of cancer is high.
With the help of the foundation, the family has raised more than £150,000. They have now enlisted the support of the A-list striker to help raise the final funds.
Speaking in a video to raise awareness of the appeal, Jermain Defoe said: “The Bradley Lowery Foundation needs you to help Rocco.
"Rocco has neuroblastoma, the same cancer that Bradley had. So, we’re asking you to show your support, like you did for Bradley, when the whole nation came out in force, and we need the same support for Rocco.”
Lynn Murphy, chief operating officer of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, said: “Rocco is a very brave young man, and his family have been working incredibly hard to raise the money to get him to New York for this pioneering vaccine.
“While SAFC and NUFC have a long-term rivalry on the pitch, we know that fans will put their differences to one side and come together to help a poorly child, just like they did for Brad.
“With Jermain leading the charge, we’re certain Sunderland fans will dig deep and donate to such a good cause.”
The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in memory of Bradley Lowery, who passed away following a fight with neuroblastoma in 2017.
Since then, the charity has raised more than £3million for dozens of poorly children across the UK; established a dedicated support line for the families of children with cancer; donated over £200K to researching childhood cancers and campaigned for new drugs to be introduced in the UK.
SAFC fans are invited to donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roccosafc or by texting SAFC to 70480 to donate £5.
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