26 April 2023 , 19:46
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Bitter footballing foes are working together to support a four-year-old boy who is recovering from cancer.
A match is taking place next month to raise funds for Rio Spurr, four, son of a former Sheffield Wednesday player Tommy.
Retired players will take part in the game between The Owls and Sheffield United on May 14.
Little Rio has had months of chemotherapy and surgery to remove three tumours.
But on Monday scans showed no signs of the cancer, however doctors warned that he is likely to relapse.
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The family from Blackburn, Lancs, said if that happens they will seek treatment abroad. Tommy, 35, said: “We are relieved, but the future is very scary.
Rio was diagnosed with a stage-four Wilms’ tumour in a kidney when he was three“If the tumours do return, his survival chances will be about 10% given the treatment options here. We need to take Rio wherever in the world that can treat him.”
Rio was three when he was diagnosed with a stage-four Wilms’ tumour in his right kidney in April 2022. He had surgery to remove the kidney and primary cancer. Tests showed tumours had developed in both lungs.
Tommy, who has another son, Rudy, 2, with wife Chloe, said: “To not know if Rio will live through it is the most horrifying feeling.”
Neil Warnock will lead the Sheffield United side (Getty Images)Chloe, who describes Rio as “our hero”, said they now hope to go on holiday.
Tommy will play with ex-England man Carlton Palmer in a Wednesday side managed by Ron Atkinson. Neil Warnock will lead a United team featuring Dean Windass.
Tommy who joined Wednesday’s academy aged eight, told the BBC : “The support has been staggering. We can’t thank people enough”