‘2 BIG’: OVERSIZED EVERTON KIT HIGHLIGHTS HARSH REALITY OF CHILDREN RECEIVING ADULT CANCER TREATMENT

Liverpool, UK, 17 May 2026

An 11-year-old boy living with cancer delivered the match ball ahead of today’s Everton vs Sunderland fixture in a powerful on-pitch moment highlighting the harsh reality faced by many children undergoing cancer treatment.

11-year-old Kaiden Edwards, who is living with medulloblastoma – a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer that primarily affects children – walked out as Everton’s mascot wearing an oversized club shirt bearing the message ‘2 BIG’.

The powerful moment marked the launch of Children with Cancer UK’s new ‘2 BIG’ campaign, calling for urgent investment into safer, more effective treatments designed specifically for children and young people.

With just 2% of cancer research funding directed towards children and young people, and a staggering 50% of childhood cancer survivors experiencing long-term side effects linked to treatments originally developed for adults, the simple visual reflected a far more complex reality; children like Kaiden are still receiving cancer drugs and treatment protocols designed for adults.

Kaiden’s story

Kaiden’s journey began in October 2021 when he started experiencing dizziness, headaches and sickness. After months of uncertainty and repeated GP visits, an MRI confirmed a brain tumour in June 2022. Kaiden received various treatments including surgery to remove the tumour, Proton beam therapy and seven months of chemotherapy before completing treatment in June 2023. Sadly, in March 2024, Kaiden’s family were informed the cancer has returned to Kaiden’s spinal cord and the tumour is inoperable. Since then Kaiden has had a port fitted to his head to deliver chemotherapy directly – the same treatment which is given to adults. 

Kaiden’s treatment journey has impacted every part of his daily life. His mother, Kathryn Edwards explains: “We try not to look too far ahead because childhood cancer teaches you to take things one day at a time. My hope is always for tomorrow; that Kaiden is comfortable, that he’s smiling, that he gets to enjoy moments like today. Kaiden has been fighting this disease for nearly four years, and throughout that time we’ve seen the impact treatment can have on a growing child’s body. No child should have to endure treatments that were originally designed for adults when there is the potential for kinder, more targeted options.

Bradley Lowery’s legacy

The moment also carried a deep significance to both teams involved, taking place on what would have been the 15th birthday of Bradley Lowery. Sunderland-supporter Bradley was just six years old when he lost his fight to Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer.

His family attended today’s match as guests of honour, marking the occasion and continuing to support awareness of childhood cancer and funds for treatments not currently available on the NHS in his name. 

Everton and Sunderland both have long-standing connections with the Bradley Lowery Foundation, established in his memory to support children and families affected by cancer. Both clubs continue to support the foundation with regular donations and experiences for children living with cancer.

The “2 BIG” Campaign

Children with Cancer UK has worked for over 35 years to provide practical and emotional support to families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond, while also raising funds to improve survival rates and reduce the devastating lifelong side effects many children are left to endure.

Over half of childhood cancer survivors will experience long term side effects, also known as ‘late effects’ because of their cancer, or their cancer treatment. Examples of late effects include heart failure, decreased mobility, fertility problems, deafness, dental problems and growth issues. 

The 2 BIG campaign highlights the urgent need for investment into childhood cancer research and the development of treatments designed specifically for children. 

Gavin Maggs, from Children With Cancer UK, said: “Every day in the UK, 10 families receive the devastating news that their child has cancer, and two of those diagnoses will be terminal. Of those who survive, more than half will go on to live with long-term side effects caused by the treatments used to save them.

“At Children with Cancer UK, our mission is to create a world where every child and young person not only survives cancer, but thrives and lives a long, healthy life. Funding research into safer and kinder treatments is a vital part of that mission, because too many children are still receiving drugs that were never designed with their growing bodies in mind.

“Our new 2 BIG campaign is about helping people understand that children deserve treatments developed specifically for them. With continued support, we can fund the groundbreaking research that will bring us closer to more personalised therapies and better outcomes for children and families facing cancer.”

To support this work, the oversized shirt worn by Kaiden, signed by the Everton team, will be auctioned later in the year, with all proceeds going to fund vital childhood cancer research.

To donate and support research into childhood and young adult cancers, visit: https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/too-big/