Campaign for footballer, 24, killed by rare cancer

A family whose fit and healthy son died from a rare form of cancer have launched a campaign to mark what would have been his 25th birthday.

Alex Wysocki died in March after being diagnosed with an incurable type of the disease known as EGFR-positive lung cancer just weeks earlier.

The talented athlete played football for West Yorkshire clubs Keighley Athletic and Oxenhope Recreation.

His back pain was initially thought to be a sports injury and his parents have now started Campaign Alex to raise awareness of the early signs of the disease.

Almost three quarters of patients are diagnosed at a late stage because their initial symptoms are wrongly identified.

Charlie and Angela Wysocki, from Keighley, said their son first visited a GP in October 2023 before an MRI scan in December indicated something more serious.

Following further tests he was told he had cancer in February, and died around a month later after developing pneumonia.

Mr Wysocki said: “It was devastating for us all as it’s not the right way of life, when a parent sees their child pass away in front of them.

“We are left with a massive hole in our lives that will never be filled.”

According to the charity EGFR Positive, approximately 39,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the UK and around 10-15% of cases have EGFR mutations present.

Only 1% of these patients are smokers.

The charity said the symptoms of EGFR-positive lung cancer can include a cough and breathlessness, but also aches and pains.

Alex's funeral took place at St Barnabas Church in Thwaites Brow, and players from his football teams formed a guard of honour.

Alex's partner, Lauren Holden, has also set up a TikTok account to support the campaign.

Mr Wysocki added: “Campaign Alex was set up to ensure to try and identify the early diagnosis of this disease.

“If we can help one family not to go through what we as a family has had to endure, then it would be worthwhile, and Alex’s memory will live on forever.”

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