Hartson Diagnosed With Cancer

By: Matt | July 13th, 2009

Many times when I come here to write you, it is with humor. Other times it is about a game that often times we forget is just that, a game. With a blog focused on a team that plays a game, it is eye opening when you have to report on bad news. Former Celtic player John Hartson has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, that unfortunately has spread to his brain. Hartson spent five years at Celtic, scoring eighty-nine goals in his Celtic career and retired last year from football. He had moved to the press, becoming an in-studio commentator on Setanta last season. Hartson had apparently been suffering from severe headaches until Friday when he went to the hospital. He spent the weekend at the hospital, where he was diagnosed. Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli, consultant medical oncologist for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, said: “A number of clinical tests were put in place and these have confirmed the presence of testicular cancer. Unfortunately, it has also been confirmed that this cancer has spread to Mr Hartson’s brain.” Celtic has also released a statement, saying “Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this extremely difficult time. It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player.” If anyone can beat something like this, it would be Big John. In his time at Celtic, he was tough as nails and he will not give up and fight this thing. The Celtic Offside hope all the best for John Hartson and hope to see him fighting this and back healthy soon.

Category: In the Press

Tags: Cancer, Celtic, In the Press, John Hartson

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• Tom |  July 13th, 2009 at 10:04 am

  
  
  

  As a Swansea fan i can only reafirm your sentiments and i have done on my Blog! Hartson is a Swansea lad through and through and there are corners of Britain that love him to bits and will pray for his recovery. Stay strong Big John

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Laurie |  July 13th, 2009 at 9:56 pm

  
  
  

  This is probably crude and inappropriate, but I don’t care. In the last two months, I’ve personally known two people diagnosed with testicular cancer. This is one of the most curable cancers there is, but you have to catch it early. So gentlemen, please follow the advice of cancer survivor Tom Greene:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2fss9PTiSA

  Posted from United States

  

• Tom |  July 14th, 2009 at 5:42 am

  
  
  

  he has brain cancer as well as testicular cancer

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• lordofthewing |  July 14th, 2009 at 6:50 am

  
  
  

  Good luck Big Man.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Laurie |  July 14th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

  
  
  

  I don’t mean to be pedantic, but he has testicular cancer that’s metastasized into the brain. I believe there’s a big difference in cure rates between that and brain cancer proper. This fight is still winnable.

  Posted from United States

  

• Matt |  July 15th, 2009 at 8:34 am

  
  
  

  Laurie-Either way it is a scary prospect I’m sure. Hopefully it is a cancer that is easily curable for BBJ.

  Posted from United States

  

• Stephen |  July 17th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

  
  
  

  Here’s a couple of links thatll help

  http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=world+without+cancer&emb=0#

  http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0096/0096_01.asp

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Marcus |  July 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am

  
  
  

  Oh Boy! That’s really sad. But i admire the spirit of this guy. Here is a link that can be of some help

  http://www.caring.com/cancer

  Posted from United States

  

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