Keen footballer, 16, whose leukaemia was dismissed as ‘growing pains’ dies just HOURS after finally being diagnosed

A family has faced ‘unimaginable grief’ after their teenage son died just hours after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Just weeks earlier, 16-year-old Harley Andrews had visited her GP to complain of feeling unwell; but he and his mother Gemma were reassured it was probably a viral infection or just ‘growing pains’, a close family friend claimed.

The keen footballer and rugby player, from Leigh, Manchester, showed no other symptoms until he noticed blood in his urine last weekend.

Her worried father and stepmother took her to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where doctors told them the devastating news: Harley was suffering from an aggressive form of blood cancer.

But they did not expect that he would tragically die of his disease just a few hours later.

Medical tests showed Harley had stage four leukemia, causing internal bleeding in her brain and many organs.

The young man, who was only hospitalized on Saturday, succumbed to his illness early on Sunday morning.

Close family friend and neighbor Kaylee Jackson, who grew up with Harley’s distraught mother Gemma, Started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and ease financial burdens.

Only a few weeks ago Harley had visited his GP to complain about bad weather; but he and his mother Gemma were reassured it could be a virus or just ‘growing pains’.

Harley was described as a ‘loving young soul’ who doted on her brothers and sisters

The fund has so far raised £6,600 in memory of ‘a bright, kind and loving young soul who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her’.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, mother-of-five Kaylee, who was also Harley’s teacher’s assistant while he was at Newton’s Westpark Primary School, revealed what the youngster was an “all-around good kid” and self-centered. five brothers and four sisters.

He said: ‘He was in my first class when I became a TA, so I taught him too. He was a young, cute, kind boy. He was all about his family; he was always with his brothers and sisters and friends.

‘Harley loved playing football in the street with the kids andI carry them on my back.

‘On Saturday he started feeling unwell, so he went to hospital for a check-up with his father Kevin and stepmother.

‘Gemma probably thought she needed some antibiotics – it definitely wasn’t They are waiting for the news they will receive.

‘He had taken her to the doctor just a few weeks ago and he said they attributed it to growing pains or a viral infection. Frankly, you don’t think they could be seriously disturbed at 16 years old. I don’t think it showsThere are no real signs and symptoms in either parent.

‘Gemma is still in shock at this news. I don’t think he’s gotten into it yet.

Harley pictured with her father Kevin Edwards, who received the devastating news from doctors on Saturday night

The keen footballer and rugby player, pictured on the right, was said to be ‘all about his family and was always around his brothers and sisters’

Harley was the second eldest son of Gemma and her former partner Kevin, who had six other children.

Harley has been described as ‘one of those kids that everyone got along with’. Pictured: Harley and her older brother

Harley, a former Westleigh School pupil, was remembered as an ‘all-around good boy’

The teenager enjoyed football and rugby and played for many local teams

‘He didn’t even process that he had leukemia before he was told he was dead.’

Harley was the second eldest son of Gemma and her former partner Kevin Edwards, who had six other children.

A former pupil of Westleigh School, Harley had recently enrolled at Wigan and Leigh College to further his studies.

He was also a keen sportsman, playing for Leigh Town and Astley & Tyldesley FC as well as Leigh East Rugby Club.

Kaylee added: ‘Harley was just one of those kids that everyone got along with. It was sporty, it was funny. He was a good man overall.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word about Harley. It’s a real shame because he was just starting out in life.

‘We are a close community here. I I think everyone in our little area woke up Monday morning with a heavy heart.

More than 650 children and young adults are diagnosed with leukemia in the UK each year.

people can Donate to GoFundMe here.