Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has opened up about his family's journey with cancer after cruel chants were directed at his son Josh.
There was national shock and outrage earlier this year when opposing fans at a League of Ireland game allegedly chanted cruel messages at Stephen’s youngest son Josh, 8, who is battling leukaemia.
Speaking ahead of an event organised by the Irish Cancer Society, the Shamrock Rovers boss remembered when they were told about Josh's illness. He said: "Hearing ‘it’s cancer’ is devastating, your whole world is turned upside down in the blink of an eye. As a parent your job is to protect your kids at all costs. When cancer hits, you can’t protect them at that time and that’s the worst thing.
And Stephen explained the abusive chants cut even deeper as he had lost his mother to colon cancer in 2016. He said: "I watched my mam pass from cancer a few years back, it was devastating.
Read more: Stephen Bradley slams 'disgusting' chants about sick son by Cork City fans
"I always said nothing in the football world could affect me or upset me as much as that- it’s only a job. But that night when the abuse was sung about Josh having cancer it really took me aback. I really thought about quitting, but they’d just be winning if I quit."
Stephen added that the unwavering support from their community inspired his family through the toughest times. He said: "What got us through was the support we felt from all over the country- the letters, the emails, the texts, it was phenomenal.
"We were blown away by the support that people showed to us, something like that really knocks you, you think how low can people go, but the response reaffirms that there is so much good in the world and this country is incredible for that."
Stephen is urging everyone to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer by taking part in the Relay for Life event at the Aviva on September 29 where hundreds of cancer survivors and their families will join together.
He said: "Having a community pulling together is everything and we have really found that out in the last year. The power of community and support- that’s what the Irish Cancer Society Relay for Life Celebrate and Remember event is all about.
"Support is vital when you’re going through or grieving from cancer. To know you have support around you, that’s what helps. So, I urge everyone to come along on September 29 to celebrate and remember and show your support to every person affected by cancer in Ireland."
Relay for Life is the biggest cancer fundraiser in the world, with 14 events taking place across Ireland every year. On the night of September 29, Westlife’s Shane Filan will be joined by participants as they walk laps of the Aviva Stadium in memory of those lost to cancer, whilst also celebrating and giving hope to the estimated 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland today.
The highlight of the event will be the inaugural national Candle of Hope ceremony, where thousands of candle bags personalised with messages of hope will be lit to celebrate cancer survivorship and remember loved ones lost to the disease.
There are several ways to get involved in Relay for Life Celebrate & Remember. People can take part in the event as relay participants or as spectators watching from the sidelines. Those that can’t make the event can still pay tribute by buying a candle bag, which can be personalised online or at home with a personal message of hope or remembrance, these will be lit during the Candle of Hope Ceremony.
Tickets to this moving event are €15 plus booking fee and available at Ticketmaster. Anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis themselves can join the event as a Survivor Participant and join other survivors to walk the opening lap. Tickets for ‘Survivor Participants’ are completely free. To buy tickets or learn more, visit the Irish Cancer Society's event page.
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