Dear friends and supporters,

I am Joe Thompson and my journey has been one of resilience and hope. Once a professional footballer, my life took an unexpected turn in 2013 when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The joy of fatherhood was overshadowed by this daunting challenge, but with courage and determination, I faced six months of chemotherapy and emerged in remission.

The battle seemed to be won, but life had other plans. On Christmas Eve 2016, 3 years later. I faced the harsh reality of a relapse.

I had to endure a stem cell transplant, where I spent 18 days in isolation, a period that tested my sanity but also showcased the strength of the human spirit.

Now, the cancer has returned with a vengeance, spreading to my lungs. In the face of adversity, I've been collaborating with oncologists and scientists, self-funding research to uncover the root cause of my recurring illness.

Today, I reach out to you with a heartfelt plea for support. We aim to raise £250,000 to cover the costs of my ongoing treatment and to pioneer a groundbreaking test that could prevent the recurrence of not only my cancer but potentially save countless lives in the future.

As a family we have self funded the treatment and worked with the scientists so far with our own savings near on six figures but we still have a long way to go and would not have the opportunity to continue with the research and treatment without your support.

Your generosity can make a world of difference. Any amount you can contribute will be deeply valued and will bring us closer to a future where no family has to endure this struggle alone.

With gratitude and hope,

Joe Thompson and Family

#TeamThompson #JT15