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Grealish's £10k Gift Stuns Cancer Mum
30 Oct
Summary
- Footballer Jack Grealish donated £10,000 to a husband's cancer treatment fund.
- The husband, Leon Skapars, has a rare and aggressive kidney cancer.
- The donation significantly boosts their goal for an expensive US clinical trial.
A mother of three, Crystal Duffey, expressed disbelief after receiving a £10,000 donation from footballer Jack Grealish for her husband Leon Skapars' cancer treatment. Leon, 36, was diagnosed with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma in August 2025, a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer. Initially misdiagnosed with kidney stones, the diagnosis of an 8cm tumour led to the removal of a kidney and immunotherapy.
By April 2026, Leon's stage four cancer had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes. A potential clinical trial in Manchester fell through, prompting the family to seek private testing. They found Leon eligible for a $200,000 clinical trial at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas, USA.
The substantial £10,000 donation from Grealish, who is an Everton supporter, has provided significant emotional support and financial momentum. Crystal stated the gift could fund clinical trials and extend Leon's time with their children, making the US trial feel within reach and offering renewed hope.
