Fighter Joe hopes he can be inspiration to others
ROCHDALE midfielder Joe Thompson hopes the sight of him taking on Tottenham in the FA Cup will inspire others to beat cancer like he did.
Thompson returned to football in December after overcoming the disease for the second time – and now the 28-year-old is set for the biggest day of his career when the Premier League giants visit the Crown Oil Arena tomorrow in the FA Cup.
“I am not the first person to beat cancer twice, some have done it three, four or more times,” Thompson told ESPN FC.
“But I know that my story can inspire people and seeing me on the pitch against Spurs could be one of those moments which inspires somebody.
“During my battles, I spoke to Stiliyan Petrov and Bryan Robson, who both overcame cancer, and you just try to focus on the positives. But everyone’s battle is different and nobody has ever had chemotherapy through Joe Thompson’s body before, so you have to meet your own challenge in the most positive way that you can.
“I know my story inspires people too. I have been through hell twice, but the only advice I could give to people is to think positive thoughts and be the best person you can be.”
Thompson was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 – an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system – and given the all-clear in 2014. He is now in complete remission after being diagnosed with cancer for the second time in December 2016.
And he revealed how he has been inspired in his recovery by City boss Pep Guardiola.
“City had asked me down to their training ground to speak to their under-23 team about my experiences,” Thompson said.
“But at the end of it, Pep arrived and called me over. He said, ‘How are you, Joe? It’s so good to see you.’ I was a bit choked by that because Pep has won everything in the game, is one of the biggest names in the world, but he knew my name and my story and wanted to know how I was. I think it summed up the calibre of the man that he was prepared to do that. It was an inspirational moment for me.”