A father-of-five from Harrogate has launched a campaign to raise funds for his own medical treatment after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Stuart Gray, whose father is Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, has stage four cholangiocarcinoma – a cancer that forms in the bile ducts. He has been told that by the time this cancer begins to show symptoms, it is usually too advanced for surgery, which is currently the only known cure.
Complicating the situation, he has also been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease with no known cure, which doctors believe was a likely contributing factor in the development of the cancer.
Writing on the GoFundMe page set up by his brother Nick, Stuart said:
“The severity of my illness means that doctors expect my life expectancy to be significantly reduced. However, treatments are available for the cholangiocarcinoma that can prolong life expectancy, and in some rare cases even cure this terrible disease, and I am determined to do everything I can to fight it with everything I have.”
By Friday afternoon – just a few days after launch – Stuart, 49, had already raised over £30,000 of his £100,000 goal.
In an update posted today, Stuart said:
“To all the people who have donated and sent messages and good wishes, I want to say how deeply thankful I am to each and every one of you. It means the world to me and my family to see the support we have. Love Stuart x”
Some of the treatments for Stuart’s illness are widely available on the NHS, but some of the newer and more experimental treatments are less readily available and very costly.
In addition, Stuart’s treatment could include biopsies and testing, CT, MRI scans and X-rays, the fitting of stents to relieve pain, alternative wellbeing therapies, and travel and accommodation costs when seeing consultants in London or abroad.
Stuart said:
“Unfortunately, time is not on my side, and to wait for approval of these various experimental treatments, and then for the treatments to be administered by the NHS, will likely take years. Accessing these drugs and treatments privately is costly and can be difficult.
“My family and I will be posting regular updates along the way and will be partaking in various fundraising efforts to help pay for any treatment that may be needed in the coming months and, God willing, years.
“Any help or support you can offer during this process would be appreciated more than you will ever know.”
Stuart will also donate a percentage of the funds raised to AMMF, the cholangiocarcinoma charity. He added:
“If/when treatment is no longer needed, for whatever reason, all of the surplus funds will also go to the AMMF.”
Like his father and his famous uncle, Frankie Gray, Stuart is also a former footballer, having played for various clubs including Celtic and Reading, as well as making seven appearance for Scotland at under-21 level.
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Harrogate youngster watches Leeds drama from bench…before sitting GCSEs today
Sixteen-year-old St John Fisher Catholic High School student and talented footballer Archie Gray enjoyed jubilant scenes in the Leeds United dressing room yesterday after the club secured their Premier League status.
But the celebrations didn’t last long as he had to be at school for 9am this morning to sit a geography GCSE.
Archie was an unused substitute in Leeds United‘s dramatic win over Brentford yesterday.
He’s in year 11 at the Harrogate secondary school and is still two years from legally being able to have a celebratory alcoholic drink with teammates.
Less than 24 hours after celebrating survival in Brentford with star internationals like Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips he was back in Harrogate to sit in a silent exam hall for his GCSEs.
St John Fisher deputy head Matthew Flanagan said Archie’s quick progress in his football career has been a “fantastic achievement”.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“From the school’s perspective, what impresses us about Archie is not just his sporting aptitude. He is polite, engaging and has a real humility about him.”
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The midfielder is yet to make his debut for the first team but scored a wonder goal for the under-23 team against rivals Manchester United earlier in the season.
In April he also captained England under-16s at a tournament in France.
Mr Flanagan called him a “wonderful ambassador” for St John Fisher.
“There is no sense of arrogance, he is popular with his peers. He’s a nice young man who deserves all the accolades and success that will come his way.”
Archie is highly rated by the club and was just 15 when former manager Marcelo Bielsa put him on the bench for a Premier League game.
He’s the great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.
Leeds United legends reminisce with Harrogate dementia residentsLeeds United legends Eddie Gray, Tony Dorigo and Paul Reaney have visited a care home in Harrogate to reminisce about their playing days with residents who have dementia.
The ex-players were at Vida Healthcare’s new facility Vida Court on Beckwith Head Road.
The trio spoke about highlights from Leeds games over the past few decades and major career moments.
Staff also set up goals in the garden for residents to have a kickabout with the players.
It’s 50 years since Eddie Gray and Paul Reaney won the FA Cup as part of Don Revie’s famous side, and 30 years since Tony Dorigo won the First Division title under Howard Wilkinson.
Several players in the Don Revie team have suffered from dementia in recent years, including Jack Charlton and Gordon McQueen.
Sharon Oldfield, home manager at Vida Court, said:
“Activities like this are so important for our residents and they had a fantastic time meeting Tony, Eddie and Paul and sharing a pie and pint with them.
“Wellbeing and life enrichment is crucial to the lives of our residents. This special day was all about reminiscence and nostalgia, and it brought back special memories for everyone in attendance.
“Events and visits like this are crucial for encouraging residents to remember moments in their lives, and building strong bonds with staff.”
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A resident with Paul Reaney
St John Fisher Catholic High School student and Leeds United player Archie Gray scored a wonder goal at Elland Road last night in front of almost 10,000 supporters.
The 16-year-old midfielder scored the third goal as the club’s under-23 team beat rivals Manchester United.
Gray is the great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.
Highly rated by the club, he’s already featured as an unused substitute twice for the first team in the Premier League aged just 15.
Leeds director of football Victor Orta has compared Gray to a young Sergio Aguero and former manager Marcelo Bielsa said he will eventually achieve elite status in the game.
Take a look at his goal last night, which was struck from 35 yards.
https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1503832673529311246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1503832673529311246%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leedsunited.com%2Fnews%2Facademy%2F29651%2Fu23s-live-updates-leeds-united-vs-manchester-united
St John Fisher has also sent its congratulations to the young player:
Huge congratulations to Year 11 student Archie Gray who scored for the @LUFC under 23 team last night. https://t.co/6HaRJ3bwnU
— St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate (@sjfchs) March 16, 2022
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