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Cancer victim may not live to see birth
FANS' HERO: Star playing for Celtic
ORDEAL: Hartson and his pregnant girlfriend Sarah
CANCER ravaged soccer hero John Hartson's girlfriend is pregnant with a baby he may never live to see.
Heartbroken Sarah McManus is carrying the couple's second child while keeping a vigil by the former Celtic favourite's bedside.
Hartson, 34, found out Sarah was pregnant again only weeks before his bombshell diagnosis with testicular cancer.
LEAVE YOUR MESSAGES OF SUPPORT BELOW
The couple already have a year-old daughter Lena and ex-Arsenal and West Ham star Hartson told pals he was "thrilled" at the prospect of another child arriving in December.
But last night he was fighting for life after the cancer spread to his brain and lungs.
The 6ft 2in former Wales international had emergency brain surgery this week to relieve tumour pressure. He remains "critical but stable" in hospital in his home city of Swansea amid fears he may have only days to live.
A family friend said: "Everyone is praying for a miracle. John has so much to look forward to with the new baby and it's heartbreaking to think it may be born without knowing its father.
"Sarah just doesn't want to leave John's bedside but she comes home to eat and put Lena to bed. It is a horrible time for her and the family." Sarah, a 37-year-old art teacher, has been making daily trips to his bedside from their home in nearby Neath, West Glamorgan.
Her mother has travelled down from Scotland to help look after Lena but the family are concerned about the stress Sarah is under during the early part of her pregnancy.
The friend added: "It had all been going so well for them. They are a lovely couple together and they were delighted when Lena came along last year.
"But now John is fighting for his life in hospital and Sarah is worried sick about him."
Striker Hartson was earning £40,000 a week at Celtic when he began seeing Sarah while still with wife Lowri, 32, the mother of his two other children, Rebecca, 10, and Joni, six.
Headaches
He had been with Lowri for more than 12 years when she found out about the affair. After an expensive high-profile divorce Lowri now lives on a gated mansion near Swansea.
Hartson and Sarah moved into a four-bed detached house in Neath last year to start a new life together after he retired from football.
He had begun building a career as a TV pundit and had also been touted as a potential club manager.
But earlier this year he discovered a lump in his testicles and ignored it, thinking it would go away.
Nine days ago he went to Swansea's Singleton Hospital suffering from severe headaches. He was kept in for tests and last Sunday was given the shattering news that he had cancer. He was later transferred to the city's Morriston Hospital for emergency neuro surgery.
The local health authority has been releasing twice-daily bulletins about his condition and doctors say that if he does pull through he will face months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Football internet sites have been swamped with messages of support for Hartson, who began his 16-year career as a teenager with Luton Town, had spells at West Brom, Wimbledon and Coventry City and won 51 Welsh caps.
His sister Hayley, 25, told a Celtic fans' website: "I would like to thank you all for your support through this devastating time for John and the family."
Hartson's family said in a statement: "We have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill from thousands of fans, players, clubs and sporting figures. We have drawn strength from this."
Tour de France cycling champion Lance Armstrong, who beat the same cancer after it riddled his body, also sent words of encouragement
Cancer specialist Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli said: "We are aiming for a positive outcome. We realise Mr Hartson is a much-loved figure."
A Celtic spokesman said: "John has served the club, and the game of football in general, with distinction over many years. Everyone fully supports him and his family."
Just a few weeks ago Hartson played in a memorial match for Celtic legend Tommy Burns, who died of skin cancer at 51 in 2008.
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This article has 137 comments
thinking of u bigmanxxx
By smudgie.. Posted August 16 2009 at 5:58 PM.
Keep fighting John you CAN beat this one. My thoughts are with you and your family.
By Gaz.. Posted July 24 2009 at 1:36 PM.
come on big john u can get through this
By snakebite67.. Posted July 23 2009 at 1:17 AM.
Come on Hartson u can beat it, i m brazilian i used to watch u playing since i was little boy,so i know u can win this battle ...hope u all the best ...sure u ll see ur baby in december..
By moises.. Posted July 22 2009 at 4:42 PM.
Hail hail John Hartsons here.
Where ever you played your football you gave your all, Your worth every penny. your a true legend.
Hope you beat this illness because i for one hopes to see you become a great manager of a top club.
By Alex White (AGG).. Posted July 21 2009 at 9:30 PM.
John,
Come on big man, just another battle to win & you have won so many in the past. Very best wishes from STUART.
By Stuart Strange.. Posted July 21 2009 at 10:57 AM.
The thoughts of my family and myself are with you and yours at this time. We have recently came through something very similar and we all pray for the same outcome for you John.
By Eddie Dunne.. Posted July 20 2009 at 9:09 PM.
You can do it John. Your courage and determination has never been questioned. Hail Hail xxx
By jamie duhig.. Posted July 20 2009 at 7:20 PM.
Keep Fighting John, prayers are with you
By RossD.. Posted July 20 2009 at 12:36 PM.
football would be a better place with more john hartsons in it,keep fighting big john there's a lot of people rooting for you
By alan.. Posted July 20 2009 at 8:45 AM.
Good luck with your fight john, in sure your pull threw keep fighting mate. all the best
By scott.. Posted July 20 2009 at 1:15 AM.
god bless u big man hope u pull through
all this n get 2 c the birth of ur 4 baby
hail hail everyone is prayin 4 u and ur family
By kevin coyle.. Posted July 20 2009 at 12:24 AM.
john you can beat this thinking of you and your family good luck
By mal j.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:50 PM.
Best wishes John. YNWA
By sherry.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:41 PM.
All the best big man, keep fighting mate........LUFC fan
By dan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:31 PM.
Just keep your strength up Jonny, we are all behind you, hoping and praying you will pull through this trauma in your life, you have got to be strong as you will have a new bundle of life soon to be brought to you. We are all thinking of the greatest footballer who played for Arsenal and all the Arsenal fans will agree with me you are one in a million.. I know its not us going through this but please try and be strong, our thoughts are with you god bless you.. Debbie + Jerry
By Debbie Solkhon.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:27 PM.
my thoughts go out to you and your family, keep fighting like you did on the pitch, and hope your family stay strong, if any one footballer that i have had the pleasure to watch over the years is strong enough to beat this then it would be you, I know i speak for all newcastle fans when i say hope to see you at st james soon mate
By dave richardson.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:56 PM.
John, I am a Celtic fan living in your homeland Wales ( porthcawl ), I just want you to know, everyone i know, not just football fans are all praying for you,We know you are a strong boy, you can beat this.
By thomas anderson.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:37 PM.
John
Thinking of you at this terrible time
God bless
By Tim.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:29 PM.
Was a privilege to watch you play in the 2004 Celtic side.
I'm a celtic fan at a distance but when I watched you playing for them on the field, I could see you were a real "Celtic man" - by your strength, your no-nonsense attitude and your determination to win.
Many thanks - I hope you beat this illness.
By Mike Garrett.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:12 PM.
our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
you were a fighter on the field, keeping fighting mate.
By Smithy.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:03 PM.
show us the fighting spirit you showed on the pitch, keep strong john.
By andrew.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:55 PM.
Keep fighting Big Man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
By Lana.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:47 PM.
you can fight this big john, you have so much to live for x
By jane.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:45 PM.
hope you get better,stay strong....from a bluenose......x
By helen.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:35 PM.
Keep up the fight John others have shown the way and hopefully you can use some of the fighting spirit you showed as a player. Best wishes to you and your family.
By Paul Underwood.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:29 PM.
John, fight this.
By Ross.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:23 PM.
good luck big man you were strong on the pitch and are stong off it
By steve.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:12 PM.
just watch prem league years where you "super johnie hartson" fronted up to calderwood to protect harry redknapp . very few are like you jon. met you a few times aswell as many "stars". no one like you.gentlemen,legend a superstar. if anyone can fight this you can. my prayers are with you and your young family you must be super johnie harton for them. in my thoughts and prayers a whufc fan
By clare bear.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:58 PM.
Best wishes John, keep fighting & get well soon,
Mark
Hammers Fan.
By Mark Vickers.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:40 PM.
theres only 1 john hartson!!!
God bless you big man!
From all at T.W.C.S.C Port Glasgow
By mick.. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:46 PM.
c'mon big yin.youre certainly not walking alone.iam still praying for u mucker
By k.traquair.. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:35 PM.
Come on mate, dig in, you can bit this vile thing
By Gary P.. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:06 PM.
You can do it all the best!
By Kelly_Neath.. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:06 PM.
I,m a liverpool fan ,good luck john in your battle against this terrible disease,keep fightin son for your family you can beat it.
By stephen powell.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:52 PM.
John, Beat this you are a strong man,
You'll never walk alone
By Paul.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:40 PM.
Keep fighting mate, you was full of grit steel and determination as a player and i know you'll be the same throught this.
My thoughts are with u and all of your family
By Neil Clarke.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:29 PM.
Come on John! were praying for you, see it off like you did Colin Calderwood. COYI
By Robert James.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:22 PM.
my thoughts are with you and wish you well in fighting this disease.
By john milford haven bluebird.. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:40 PM.
Keep fighting big man
your in our thoughts and prayers
good luck
By Conor Deighan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:28 PM.
Keep fighting Big Man
Your in our thoughts and prayers
By Conor Deighan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:19 PM.
Be strong, think positive. You can beat this!
God Bless.
Hammers fan.
x
By jo muckle.. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:03 PM.
john you are a fighter...you were when i saw you play especially for coventry.our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....this comes from not just football fans of coventry but all fans up and around the country.
By graham williams .. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:44 PM.
all the best john harston,keep fightin,you can beat this awful disease,as i did,my thoughts are with you and your family,get well soon,from derek,a barnsley fan.
By derek brian drury.. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:25 PM.
John all the best on this tough road to recovery. Hang in there and stay tough. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Fend
By SgHammer.. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:14 PM.
A true legend and a gentleman.
God bless big man. Hail Hail YNWA!!!
Get well soon.
By Peter Heneaghan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:05 PM.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and for you John. God Bless.
By Grace.. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:03 PM.
My Nan died 10 months ago of a womans cancer-where is all this cancer research money going ??
By sarah.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:53 PM.
Hoping and praying for good news, BBJ
Hail Hail
Over and Over
By The Rooneys.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:52 PM.
My prayers are with youand your family at this time John . You are a fighter and i know with you´re a winner . You´ll never walk alone . God bless .
By DAVID BAILLIE.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:49 PM.
Its not fair that a man who brought so many people so much joy and excitement can be dealt such a bad hand in life, I think i speak for most football fans out there when i say " we may not have supported you on the field but we are now all supporting you in your time of need" fight hard John you have have a beautiful family and we would all love to see you grow old together.
Dave Broadhead
Man Utd Supporter.
By David Broadhead.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:35 PM.
John...have always been a fan of yours...stay strong mate....you CAN beat this....You're in my thoughts and in my prayers at this terrible time for you and your family.
By Vince K.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:48 PM.
John,
4 years ago, my wife had treatment for small cell lung cancer. This is a cancer which, according to statistics at the time, less than 3% make it past 5 years. She is almost there.
Her treatment lasted 9 months. It was anything but easy however, when it was over, she reclaimed her life and carried on as normal.
I never quite understood the term "fighting" the disease. Watching her come through the treatment, she remained positive, surprisingly, laughed quite a lot with the nurses and doctors. The doctor in charge was magnificant, brutally honest but great charm which kept her smiling. I think this is what kept her going.
The whole of football is wishing you well.
Regards
Ray, Fulham supporter, now living in USA.
By Ray Jarvis.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:24 PM.
God bless you, John and your family. May you take on this battle with all guns a'blazing. Lance Armstrong did it.......you can too.
Take care, big man....the whole country is behind you.
By Sian and Walter, Neath.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:23 PM.
Wishing John all the best of lucky and hope you can overcome this. I will never forget my first match at Upton Park against Huddersfield in the league cup and John scored his very first hatrick for the Hammers, great memoires.
Stay strong and I hope for you and your family you have many years ahead of you.
By LeeJ.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:17 PM.
john your a winner keep fighting thoughts are with you and your family. from chan boro season ticket holder.
By g lindsay.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:12 PM.
keep fighting john. helen luton town fc
By helen williams.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:57 PM.
John stay positive and you can beat this , hope you can take inspiration from another tough man "Lance Armstrong" . You will be in the thoughts of millions of football fans worldwide.....Never give up John!!
By Dave B.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:47 PM.
To John and family. We are very spiritual people and believe in angels and that everything happens for a reason so please fight a good fight and get well because you just being born on earth is a gift. Our family has gone through so much turmoil with cancer but positive thinking and having a loving family and faith makes it all worth fighting for. We want you to be running around again so please fight this disease and get well. We are all sending our prayers to you and your family God bless! x
By Angela and Andrew.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:30 PM.
Keep fighting big man!!
By Newport County.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:11 PM.
Best wishes to you and the family!
Be strong mate, and you will get through it no worries. Good luck John
By Jonathan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:13 PM.
good luck big lad it`s going to be a tough fight, thoughts with your family xx
By johnny .. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:55 PM.
Its never over til the fat lady sings John!...keep fighting!....Paul(on behalf of all Leeds Utd fans)
By paul.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:37 PM.
John, you played with the strength of a bull. Your strength can pull you through this battle. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ian (Chelsea season-ticket holder)
By Ian Rachwal.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:15 PM.
keep fighting john.
all of wales is thinking and praying for you.
By foreva welsh.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:11 PM.
All the best John, my thoughts are with you, and I hope you are OK.... Keep fighting Big John...
From All At Charlton Athletic.
By england.mark.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:57 AM.
john be as brave in life as you were on a football pitch.everyone is with you and pray you win this battle(a spurs fan)god bless you john
By gt.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:54 AM.
Keep on fighting u can beat this
By Bluenose09.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:32 AM.
Although you played for that scum up the road I'm sure all watford fans are right behind you and hope you beat this terrible disease. Just remember It's only a word and if anyone can YOUCAN!!!!!
By Garry O'Brien.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:22 AM.
god bless you john , my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, dont stop fighting ,from a glasgow rangers fan . all the best , take care ........
By janie kirkland.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:22 AM.
if anyone can HARTSON can keep going big fella,all the beast john.sneaky pete.
By PETE KELLY.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:19 AM.
kep up the fight big man u will win as i often seen u win at celtic park god bless u and all your family our payers are with u
By tony.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:14 AM.
Our thoughts are with you John & your family at this sad time you won many battles on the field so I hope you win this one off the feild good luck & god bless you from my family of hammers suportersxx.
By Robert Wakeling.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:13 AM.
god bless john hartson u will beat this love from u old friends from trallwn xxxxx
By kelly williams.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:10 AM.
All the best big man, keep battling mate, best wishes from us all at the Baggies, keep Boing-Boinging John
By steve richards.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:07 AM.
keep fighting big man, you and your family are in our thoughts.
All the best
Hail Hail
By Dno.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:59 AM.
John as a Belfast Rangers supporter we are all with you here,hope and pray you pull through Big Man,
God bless!
By C IN BELFAST.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:32 AM.
I have absolutely no idea who this guy is as I don't follow sport but I do wish him and his family my best!
A horrible situation.
By Mark Boy.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:14 AM.
Thoughts and prayers r with u & ur family.
By charlene.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:17 AM.
My heart goes out to John and his wife and family........stay positive big fella and keep on fighting... Best wishes
By Chris P.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:13 AM.
Keep up the fight big man, If anyone can beat this you can you are a born winner our thoughts are with you and your family.
By ian w.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:03 AM.
good luck big john hope all works out for you and your family. you are a true jack
By nicky.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:03 AM.
Stay Positive Johny Boy, Best Wishes big man.
Dave
AFC
By Dave.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:49 AM.
Good luck in this fight I lost my mum earlier this year to cancer it takes grip so quickly I only hope that you have found it in time so that you can see your new baby, my mum briefly saw her day old grandson and I treasure that memory. Keep the positivity dont let cancer take everything xx
God bless from a family of Hammers xx
By KatieA.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:40 AM.
You saved the hammers from the drop and now its our turn to support you through this god bless you and may you get over this traggic illness
By Richie.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:31 AM.
don t let it beat you john gutted to hear the news know you can beat this all the best
By Mr Cymru.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:30 AM.
Our thoughts are with you and your family - Keeping West Ham up was an achievement I will always respect you for.
You have the hope of all hammers behind you, i'm sure.
By Matt S.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:28 AM.
You can fight it, and you can win.
By James.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:21 AM.
battle this like you played your football and you will come through best wishes
By robs... Posted July 19 2009 at 9:14 AM.
get well soon big feller we are all praying for you
pete man u fan
By pete .. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:13 AM.
John wishing you all the best for your fight against this terrible disease , will never forget you gracing the field in a Dons shirt
By Chris Amor.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:50 AM.
We wish you all the best John and hope you pull through. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. All the best. Hail Hail
By Rdamceltic.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:50 AM.
AS A MAN CITY FAN, I HAVE TO SAY ONE OF THE MOST HONEST BLOKES IN FOOTBAL I HAVE EVER WITNESSED.KEEP FIGHTING BIG GUY.
By CRAIG NIELD.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:58 AM.
as a rangers fan you have caused me no end or turmoil over the years but i sincerely hope you can beat this big man all the best to you and your family from one of the blue half of the city. good luck.
By jonmcmillan.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:21 AM.
Keep fighting JH thinking of you downunder
All the best
Hail Hail
Paul
Sydney
By Paul.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:20 AM.
WISHING THE BIG MAN WELL KEEP THE FATH FROM ALL CELTIC AND BRADFORD CITY FANS
By brian clavin.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:32 AM.
Thanks for all you did at West Ham,you were a pleasure to watch,now you have a bigger battle to fight i just know YOU can beat it,COME ON, SUPER SUPER JOHN SUPER JOHNNY HARTSON!!.
By Paul West Ham.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:10 AM.
I'm so sorry John, I cry thinking about this.
I'll pray for you at every given opportunity!
By Mikey.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:03 AM.
My thoughts and prayers are with you big man. The football family are all 100% behind you in this battle.
By Ian.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:53 AM.
John give it the best fight you can pal thinking of you and all your family and frends on behalf of all the Sunderland fans
By Ian.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:37 AM.