When talented rugby player George Thompson went to see his doctor with a suspected match-related injury, the last thing he expected to hear was the word 'cancer'.

George Thompson had been playing rugby since the age of six, spending most of his young sporting career at Devonport Services RFC, representing Devon U15s, captaining Devon U16s and Plymouth Albion U18s, before joining the Exeter Chiefs Academy.

The 17-year-old, from Saltash, was set to join his local club, Saltash RFC, but in a devastating and unexpected blow has had to give up the sport he loves after being diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.

The rare type of cancer mostly affects babies and young children, but very occasionally is found in adolescents.

George, who is in his second year of a gas engineering apprenticeship with Plymouth Community Homes, began suffering with lower back pain and was originally told that it was believed he had ankylosing spondylitis - a long-term condition which means the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

But after numerous scans and tests, he was told he had the rare cancer, which had also spread to his bones and bone marrow.

He has now been transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for children where he is undergoing chemotherapy.

George now has a 12-month plan which will include surgery, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

More than 13,800 has been raised on a crowdfunding page - which you can donate to here - set up by George's auntie, Catherine Arris.

George's sister, Rosie, said the "response has been overwhelming".

She said the money will help herself, her mother Julie and father, Martin with travel costs and subsidise their lost income whilst frequently making back-and-forth trips from Cornwall to Bristol, to ensure that they are with George throughout "the intense treatment period".

Rosie said: "This will also enable George to have some quality downtime away from the hospital ward when he is well enough in-between treatments.

"It is important to us that we maintain as normal a family life as possible throughout the difficult months that lie ahead and this is now being made possible by the generosity of so many people.

"There are not enough words to thank each and every person who is supporting us."

Rosie explained that any money which remains at the end of George's treatment will be donated to Clic Sargent, The Teenage Cancer Trust and Neuroblastoma UK.

"These charities are already looking after us, providing accommodation and various support," she said.

George has already undergone four blood transfusions and it is likely he will receive further transfusions.

Rosie said: "We are all signing up to donate blood and would encourage as many people as possible to follow suit. We have seen first hand how important blood donations are.

"In such a short space of time we have been amazed by the generosity and heartfelt messages of support.

"Georges fun loving character and caring nature has been recognised by so many people, some who have never met George."

There are a number of plans for fund-raising events to take place during Georges treatment, to raise money for Clic Sargent and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Plymouth Community Homes is set to arrange an event, as well as a team named 'Run For George' which has entered into the Mudstock Run on June 27, 2020, supported by BH Fitness.

There is also a fund-raising rugby match on April 18, 2020, which has been organised by George's uncle, Richard Thompson.

If you are interested in this story, you may be interested in the crowdfunder for the Plymouth man diagnosed with testicular cancer at just 21 years old.

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children.

It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby's development in the womb.

Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in 1 of the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord in the neck, chest,tummy or pelvis.

It can spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin.

It affects around 100 children each year in the UK and is most common in children under the age of 5.

The cause is unknown. There are very rare cases where children in the same family are affected, but generally neuroblastoma does not run in families.

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The symptoms of neuroblastoma vary depending on where the cancer is and whether it's spread.

The early symptoms can be vague and hard to spot, and can easily be mistaken for those of more common childhood conditions.

Symptoms can include:

See a GP or contactNHS 111if you're worried your child might be seriously ill.

A number of tests may be carried out if it's thought your child could have neuroblastoma.

These tests may include:

Once these tests have been completed, it'll usually be possible to confirm if the diagnosis is neuroblastoma and determine what stage it is.

As with most cancers, neuroblastoma is given a stage. This indicates if it's spread and, if so, how far.

The staging system used for neuroblastoma is:

Knowing the stage of your child's neuroblastoma will allow doctors to decide which treatment is best.

Some babies and infants less than 18 months old with either stage L1 or Ms neuroblastoma who have no symptoms may not need any treatment, as the cancer can sometimes go away on its own.

The main treatments for neuroblastoma are:

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Promising rugby teen is told back injury actually rare cancer - Plymouth Live

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