TV personality Calum Best has shared the heartbreaking news that his mum, George Best’s first wife Angie, has been diagnosed with cancer and that the disease has spread to her liver
Angie Best. (Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Angie Best, the first wife of football legend George Best, has received a colon cancer diagnosis. The devastating news was shared by their son, television personality Calum Best, through a heartfelt video on Instagram posted on Thursday.
Calum revealed that his 73 year old mother received the diagnosis several weeks ago, with the disease having already metastasised to her liver. He said: “Hi everyone, I’ve been thinking long and hard over the past few weeks about how to write this.
“I wanted to get the words right, but when it comes to health, and when it comes to my mum, the only thing that really matters is honesty. A few weeks ago, my beautiful, wonderful mum was diagnosed with cancer.
“For as long as I can remember, she has lived her life rooted in health, fitness and wellbeing. She has always believed in taking care of the body, mind and soul. But as we all know, cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care where you’re from, how you live, or how healthy you try to be. And now, it’s here – and it’s with my mum.”
Calum has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for specialist treatment and care for Angie. Acknowledging his emotional struggle, Calum went on: “I’ll be honest, I haven’t cried in years but this has been an emotional rollercoaster I never expected to be on,” reports the Mirror.
“We’ve reached a point where we felt it was important to share what we’re going through and, humbly, ask for help. My mum has been diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to her liver. To move forward, we need access to specialist care and professionals who can offer the right treatment.
Calum Best shared the news on social media. (Image: Instagram)
George Best pictured with then wife, Angie and son Calum in 1984. (Image: The People)
“This is incredibly hard for me to say, but financially, I can’t carry this on my own. So we’ve created this GoFundMe page to ask for your support. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us access the specialists, treatment and care my mum needs during this time.”
Calum assured his followers that he would provide regular updates. “We’ll also be sharing updates along the way, and my mum will be posting videos too, when she feels able. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for caring, for sharing and for supporting us in any way you can. Calum.”
Through her son’s Instagram account, Angie shared her own statement. In the caption accompanying his video, Calum included Angie’s words, which conveyed her determination to “ready to fight”.
They read: “A message from Angie..
“I’m ready to fight, research and have consultations on 1. immune therapy, 2. Targeted chemo to shrink my tumours not kill all my NK and T cells, 3. Interventional Radiology, 4.HAI Hepatic artery infusion, liver directed, my colon cancer has spread to my liver. These funds will cover all of the above and include 5. Living expenses 6. Home care 7. Travel
“Consultations and research all takes dosh which I don’t have BUT I truly believe that this info will be invaluable as research suggests 1 in 2 of us will get some form of cancer. Yikes. Wish me luck, Onwards and upwards Homies.”
Angie’s first encounter with footballer George Best took place in LA back in 1975. He was there to sign with the Los Angeles Aztecs, and a year on, the two relocated to London.
Angie headed back to LA, but George wasn’t far behind, proposing marriage upon his arrival. They tied the knot that same year and welcomed Calum in 1981.
The marriage didn’t last, however, with the couple separating in 1982 and finalising their divorce in 1986.
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