A BRAVE seven-year-old Anderson Pollard recently rang the bell at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate being cancer-free.
Anderson’s happy ending was made even more special when Craig Guildford, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, surprised him with tickets to Manchester United, Anderson’s favourite football team.
Anderson was diagnosed with a rare type of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in May last year, with treatment starting right away.
He underwent chemotherapy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and supportive care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
In September, after four months of gruelling treatment, the family were told the incredible news that Anderson was cancer-free.
Anderson’s Mum, Debbie Bath, said: “It was incredibly emotional; when you go through that trauma, you expect the worst. It was such an incredible relief. We just felt such gratitude to everyone who made it possible.”
Sam Pollard, Anderson’s dad added: “Everyone involved in his care was absolutely wonderful. It’s an incredibly difficult subject, and they deal with it with great humanity and empathy.
“We can’t thank everyone enough, from the doctors to the nurses to the physiotherapists, the cleaners and the housekeepers who brought us food every day, everyone deserves a special mention.”
Anderson rang the end-of-treatment bell in October to celebrate his discharge from Ward 18.
However, another celebration was waiting for Anderson at the start of this year after he was invited to the West Midlands Police headquarters for a special surprise.
Debbie said: “The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police and his team met Anderson during a visit to the hospital. I remember them being such lovely and kind people.
“They noticed Anderson was a Man United fan – it was hard to miss in his full kit – and arranged to get him six tickets so we could go as a family.”
The Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, invited Anderson, as well as Sam, Mum Debbie and Anderson’s big brother and sister, to the police headquarters in Birmingham to present Anderson with his tickets.
Sam said: “Anderson was in awe seeing everyone at HQ and how much they all wanted to meet him. He had no idea about the tickets, he was in shock when he was given them by the Chief Constable, he was just so happy.
“He cannot wait to head to Old Trafford to watch the game.”
Anderson continues to be monitored by the team at the Children’s Hospital, however he is now back at school and doing what he loves most in the world, playing football.
Sam said: “It was quite daunting going back to normal life after everything that we’ve all gone through.
“No one can understand what it’s like unless you’ve been through it. But seeing Anderson get back to school and playing and watching football again, it’s just incredible. We feel such enormous gratitude to everyone.”
