Harley Andrews died just one day after his diagnosis. Credit / GoFundMe
A teenage boy in the UK died just one day after receiving the heartbreaking news that he had Leukemia.
According to the Daily Mail, 16-year-old Harley Andrews was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital on November 8. Weeks earlier, he had visited his doctor after feeling unwell, but was told he was likely suffering from nothing more serious than a viral infection.
A close family friend also claimed Harley had been told he might be experiencing “growing pains.”
Just under two weeks later, however, the teenager — reportedly a keen soccer and rugby player from Leigh — noticed blood in his urine.
His father then decided to take him to the hospital, where doctors delivered the devastating news that he had stage four leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer.
“She had only taken him to the doctor a few weeks ago and they said it was likely growing pains or a viral infection,” Harley’s former elementary school teaching assistant, Kaylee Jackson, who is also close to his mother, told the Daily Mail.
“Obviously, you don’t think that at 16 someone could be seriously unwell. I don’t think he showed any clear signs or symptoms to either of his parents.”
The leukemia had caused internal bleeding in Harley’s brain and several organs. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, and just a few hours later — in the early hours of Sunday, November 9 — he passed away.
“She hadn’t even processed that he had leukemia before she was told he had passed away,” Kaylee said.
A family friend later set up a GoFundMe page to help the family cover funeral expenses.
“His warm heart, bright smile, and love for football touched everyone who knew him. Whether he was on the field or cheering from the sidelines, the game brought him so much happiness and brought people together,” the fundraiser reads.
Harley was the second of six children and a beloved member of his local community.
Rest in peace, Harley Andrews. 🕊️
