Churchtown Primary pupils raise thousands by running London Mini Marathon in honour of Southport attack victims

Devoted Southport dad of 3 aged 35 diagnosed with terminal cancer as fundraising appeal launched

A 35 year devoted dad of 3 has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, with people invited to support a fundraising page set up to support his family. Leon Skapars, a plasterer who lives in Southport with his partner, Crystal, and their 3 sons (ages:- 2, 3, 10), was given the tragic news last week.  His symptoms began in early 2025 with haematuria, and back / flank pain. In mid–2025 a CT scan identified an 8cm kidney tumour, with kidney removal surgery carried out last September.  He began a course of immunotherapy, but doctors later diagnosed that the cancer had progressed to Leon's lungs and lymph nodes, along with a recurrence in his kidney. Last week the cancer was reclassified as Stage 4, and incurable. Leon's partner, Crystal, has now set up a GoFundMe page to support his family as they come to terms with his deteriorating condition: Fundraiser by Crystal Duffey - Help Leon, 35, Fight Aggressive Cancer for His 3 Sons. He has enrolled in a clinical trial which, if successful, may help control the cancer for a short time. Leon has no family history of cancer and led a very fit and active lifestyle, including:- going to the gym, boxing, and is a huge supporter of Everton FC, along with his 3 sons. Kidney cancer typically affects older adults, aged 70 and over. He needs ongoing support including:- private oncology consultations; experimental and international treatment exploration; clinical trial access and associated travel costs; plus family financial support during his illness.

Crystal Duffey said:- "Leon is a 35 year old devoted dad to 3 young sons aged 2, 3 and 10, who are his whole world. He has spent the last 18 years grafting hard as a self employed plasterer, and anyone who knows Leon will tell you what a genuinely kind and decent man he is. He is the 1st person to offer a helping hand to anyone that needs it. Leon is now fighting for his life after being diagnosed with 1 of the most aggressive forms of kidney cancer and has been given just:- 1 to 3 years to live. Days after turning 35, Leon was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Our world was turned completely upside down. He underwent major surgery to remove his kidney and an 8cm tumour. Pathology brought devastating news: the most aggressive form of kidney cancer; sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma, stage 3, grade 4, with necrosis and rhabdoid features. Despite everything, Leon was determined to fight. In December, he began immunotherapy, holding onto hope that it would destroy any remaining cancer cells. But just 4 months later, we received heart breaking news. The cancer had spread to both lungs, returned at the kidney site, and spread to the lymph nodes in his chest. Leon is now stage 4 and has been told his cancer is incurable. There is no family history, and DNA testing has shown no genetic link. This has come completely out of the blue. Leon was a fit, active, healthy young man; a regular at the gym, passionate about boxing, and always making memories with his family, from playing football, cheering on Everton, to camping trips. It is devastating to see him now facing this cruel disease. Kidney cancer typically affects people over the age of 70. What also makes his case more shocking and devastating is that his cancer includes:- extremely rare and aggressive features seen in only 5% of cases. Leon only received 3 rounds of immunotherapy before being told his cancer is resistant to treatment. The NHS can no longer offer anything to try to cure Leon; only a daily tablet to slow the disease. If this doesn't work, Leon may have as little as 12 months to live. If it does, it could give him up to 3 years. We are not ready to accept that this is all the time Leon has left; as a father, as a partner, as someone who still has so much life to live. He has dreams, goals, and places he still wants to see. His children need their dad. Leon has now been enrolled in a clinical trial which, if successful, may help control the cancer for a short time. This gives us some hope whilst we urgently try to raise funds due to the limited treatment options available on the NHS. We are already facing costs for private consultations and his care. Having funds available means we can act quickly; whether that's accessing private treatments and tests, pursuing trials for newer treatment options currently only available in specialised centres abroad. Leon is self employed and has no insurance. Although he was hesitant about me setting up this page, we want to do everything we can to ensure he has access to the best possible care and to relieve some of the financial pressure on our family during this time. If the funds are not fully able to be used towards the primary goal of his treatment, they will go towards supporting his family and helping them through the difficult times which may be ahead. We will continue to share updates here as Leon's journey progresses I am writing this as Leon's partner. I'm 30 years old and facing the reality of losing the man I planned my life with. We've gone from building our future, to fighting for every extra moment together. It has been heart breaking to watch Leon go through so much already since his diagnosis; repeated infections, side effects from:- Treatment, and hospital admissions, spending only 7 days at home so far in April. I am desperate to see him get better, not continue to decline. I lost my own father at the age of 6. I know first-hand the lifelong impact of growing up without a dad, and I am desperate to do everything I can to make sure our children don't have to go through that same pain; especially at such a young age. I want them to have memories of their dad. Please help me keep our family together. If you can, please donate whatever you are able, every single pound could help give Leon more time, more memories, and more precious moments with his children. There is truly no amount too small. If you're unable to donate, please share our:- GoFundMe.Com page. It could reach someone who can help and also raise awareness that kidney cancer can affect younger people too."

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