My sacrifice to live sporty life

A KEEN sportsman who has been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer has made the brave decision to have his leg amputated.

Matt Woollias, 20, discovered earlier this year that he had Ewing's sarcoma, which affects just four in one million people.

The football-mad student has already started chemotherapy, but has decided to have his right leg amputated below the knee, as he's been told he will have better mobility with a prosthetic limb.

Matt, of Plumtree Road, Thorngumbald, has been told by doctors that he could keep his leg, but it would be effectively useless, and his mobility would be deeply restricted.

The majority of the fibula would have to be removed and surgeons would not be able to put in any artificial support, leaving him only able to walk, but not run.

Matt has therefore made the difficult choice to lose the lower part of his leg, so that he can be fitted with a sophisticated prosthetic, and continue playing sports.

He said: "My family aren't so sure, but I feel amputation is better because I'll be able to move more with a prosthetic limb.

"I won't be able to play football again, but with a prosthetic leg I can regain full mobility, so I'm going to take up athletics."

Matt has reacted incredibly positively to news of his illness. Speaking about his diagnosis, he said: "I was first aware of it after going to the doctor in Easter after I was injured playing football.

"I had an MRI scan which found a tumour on my right leg.

"A specialist confirmed it was Ewing's sarcoma."

It was a second blow for the family, as his step-dad Terence Ness had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two weeks before.

Matt added: "He had the same tests, so I was prepared for the worst."

Matt will endure six cycles of chemotherapy before having surgery to remove the lower part of his leg, before having eight more cycles of chemotherapy.

He has already had his first round of the treatment.

But he refuses to feel sorry for himself.

He said: "I am quite positive, you have to be really. You've just got to deal with it. There are always others worse off.

"I know quite a few people who have suffered cancer.

"Luckily, they have all survived and have spoken to me about their experiences."

Matt, a criminology student at Hull University, said he has been forced to re-think his career choice since being diagnosed.

He had hoped to forge a career in the police force, but is now considering other career options.

Despite his ongoing treatment, Matt is determined to raise awareness of the disease, and he is also raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

He said: "I want to focus on organising events to raise awareness of bone cancer."

Matt, along with friend David Mills, is organising a fundraising football match.

The football match is due to take place on August 2, at 2pm, at Thorngumbald playing fields.

David explained: "The idea is to have Matthew's old football team from a couple of years back reform and play against his family and other friends."

Anyone who would like to make a donation can either contact David on 07743 228512 or the Bone Cancer Research Trust on 0113 262 1852.