Max Hatzoglou
Hume City footballer Danny Dixon has made a stunning return to the soccer field just two months after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The English born footballer noticed something was not right in late January this year when he saw a lump so he got himself checked by a doctor immediately which could have been a life-saving decision.
Within 15 days of the initial check up, he had cancer removed from his body which led to chemotherapy and ultimately a full recovery that has pretty much put his life ‘back to normal’.
On March 29 Dixon made a return to the soccer field and has since played in three consecutive matches in a row for Hume, who has been with since 2019.
Dixon arrived in Perth, Australia as a 14-year-old coming from Middlesbrough in England and later moved to Melbourne where he began his career in the National Premier League Victorian competition.
Dixon was grateful for all the support he received from the football and wider community which he says helped him get through the challenge.
“The whole situation was good, obviously, it’s not what you want to hear at 27 but at the same time from the nurses, the doctors, everyone, everyone involved in football, everyone who I have spoken to has been amazing,” Dixon said.
“So it’s been good, it hasn’t been hasn’t been too hard mentally when you’ve got the support around you that everyone has given me so it’s been really good in that way.”
Dixon paid particular attention to the support he was given from Tracy Tombides, the mother of Australian footballer Dylan Tombides, who progressed his career to represent West Ham in the English Premier League, although, sadly passed away in 2014, nearly three years after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“Speaking to Dylan’s mum Tracy during the chemo process, obviously she’s helped me through what Dylan went through and stuff,” he said.
“Speaking to people who have been close to someone who’s had it, unfortunately for Dylan it didn’t work out, but to know people are thinking of you or trying to help you in any way possible, it makes a big difference.
“And obviously, my family has been amazing.
“They’re over in Perth, but still the support you get from them and from Hume, from everyone, it did help a lot.”
“People think like they’re just messaging you and saying hope you’re doing well and stuff, but it does help a lot.
“It does make you appreciate all the support and stuff so it’s been really good.
Dixon in partnership with the DT38 Foundation hosted an exhibition match on April 3 earlier this month featuring famous footballers all in hope of raising funds to educate and highlight the importance of self-checking and acting fast.
So far, $13,535 has been raised over 99 donations on the gofundme page.
