Tributes paid to 11-year-old Milton Keynes junior league footballer who died from rare form of cancer

Tributes have been paid to an 11-year-old boy, who played football in the Milton Keynes junior league, after he died from a rare form of cancer.
Dean Mandabva in his Moretonville kitDean Mandabva in his Moretonville kit
Dean Mandabva in his Moretonville kit

Dean Mandabva of Buckingham, who had a high-grade Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) - the deadliest form of childhood cancer - sadly died earlier this month in Spain after taking a turn for the worse, having completed his treatment and preparing for return to the UK.

In June, Dean's parents, who are both NHS nurses - his dad David works at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and his mum Mercy works at Milton Keynes University Hospital - raised more than £50,000 in four days through their GoFundMe page to pay for pioneering treatment for Dean in Spain.

On the GoFundMe page, David and Mercy wrote: "Dean passed away around midday yesterday here in Spain. He had finished his treatments Friday afternoon and we were ready to come home on Monday the 31st with all the arrangements made for the journey (flight booked).

"Started feeling unwell on Saturday night (respiratory symptoms), took him to A&E Costa Del Sol hospital for review.

"He was admitted and transferred to Matemo infantil hospital. Sadly he rested in peace around midday yesterday. 'Rest in peace my boy, you put up a brave fight.' We hope to see him again. Rev 21 :4-5.

"Your prayers, emails, text messages, kind words and all the resources you gave were very much appreciated. We would like to thank you all for your support throughout Dean's journey."

The young boy was a keen member of Moretonville Junior Football Club who did lots to help publicise the crowdfunding to enable his family to take him to Spain for treatment not available on the NHS. Clubs across the region got involved.

Anita Wise, head of communications at Moretonville Junior Football Club said: “The news of Dean’s passing has been felt across Moretonville JFC and more widely across the grassroots football community with an outpouring from more than 15,000 reaching out on our Facebook page, including people in Buckingham and from clubs and throughout Milton Keynes, Bicester, Brackley, Oxford, Northampton and even further afield.

"We have already held our own minute’s silence and will be requesting all member clubs in the MKDDL League mark the first day of the new season later this month in a minute's round of applause.

“The Moretonville Committee recognises the desire of members for an appropriate memorial for Dean which we have already started to discuss and, when the time is right, we will work with Dean's family to achieve.

“Dean’s courage throughout his fight has resonated throughout the grassroots football community and really brought us all more firmly together.

"We send our love and strength to his amazingly brave family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research, said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of Dean Mandabva’s passing from a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) brain tumour – the deadliest form of childhood cancer.

"Both NHS nurses, his parents David and Mercy were distraught when they learnt earlier this year that there was no further treatment available on the NHS for their 11-year-old son.

"Along with amazing support from the community in Buckingham where the family lived, including Dean’s junior football club, Moretonville, as well as Brain Tumour Research, David and Mercy raised more than £50,000 in four days for pioneering treatment for Dean in Spain.

"Excess monies raised, not required for treatment, were donated to local charities, including Brain Tumour Research. Tragically the treatment turned out not to be the miracle his family and friends were praying for.

“The loss of a child is truly devastating. Having lost my own beloved niece to a brain stem glioma (DIPG) at the age of seven in 2001, I know a little of what the family is going through.

“Having met so many devastated families along the way, it pains me that there is still so much more research needed if we are to find a cure.

"September is childhood cancer awareness month. Dean’s passing reminds us why we must find a cure and stop the devastation. Dean was such a fighter.

"I hope David and Mercy can take comfort from that. Our love and thoughts go out to them and the rest of their family and friends – they did everything they could.”

Dean’s Memorial will be held on Saturday, September 19, at 1pm on zoom, more details will be posted on the GoFundMe page.