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“Hearing his son is cancer free is the best feeling in the world” – BBC.com

Little Eagles FC Headshot of Harrison looking at the camera. He has blond hair and is wearing a green top. The base is blue Little Eagles FC

Harrison plays for the Eastwood Hanley Little Eagles, whose coach has started a fundraising page

Hearing his son was cancer-free was “the best feeling in the world,” his father said.

Steve Harrison’s eight-year-old son, who plays for Stoke-on-Trent’s Eastwood Henley Little Eagles, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia earlier this year.

Steve told BBC Radio Stoke that his diagnosis felt like his world had ended. But a fundraiser led by a football coach Damian Sasiak raised more than £7,000, giving the family “security” during weeks of treatment in Birmingham.

Steve added that Harrison’s treatment is going well, with recent tests finding him ‘cancer free’, but there is still a long way to go.

A man in a white T-shirt shakes hands with a man in a blue football top. Both are looking into the camera and behind them are BBC Radio Stoke signs on a purple background.

Harrison’s dad Steve (left) said football coach Damien had a heart of gold

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Steve said of the news. “But obviously he’s got another 18 months of treatment so there’s a bit of concern with him.”

He added that they welcome any positive news after the dark times through which community support has made the transition easier.

Harrison’s father praised the community for its support.

“We couldn’t believe anyone would want to help, you don’t expect it,” said Steve.

“To see so much love in the community and especially from Damien, we were blown away.”

Mr Sasiak, who set up a GoFundMe page, said they had raised more than expected and thanked everyone who had contributed, including friends, family and grassroots football fan pages across the country.

Steve said the coach was an “absolute legend” with a heart of gold.

“Along with Harrison, he’s my hero,” he said.

Family photo Harrison looks at the camera and smiles. He wears a red and white Stoke City football shirt over a black t-shirt with a pink collar. Behind it are curtains and window decorations. Family photo

Football fan Harrison is undergoing treatment for leukemia

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