RIO FERDINAND LOOSES WIFE TO CANCER
BY CHEMELLE RICE
Unbelievable sad news has hit the football world this weekend, since England’s once most expensive footballer in the world, Rio Ferdinand, announced the demise of his wife of 6 years, Rebecca Ellison, who passed away on Friday May 1st at the Royal Marsden Hospital after recently being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer last year. His late wife, a former fitness trainer, appeared to be clear of the disease but 3 scans earlier this year revealed the breast cancer had returned and spread to her bones. Sources say Rebecca had ”an ultra form of breast cancer that had spread to her bones”. Ferdinand’s absence from appearances for his club this year has been attributed to his wife condition. He last played for the club on the 7th of March. The precise cause or trigger of the cancer is not yet known or has not been made public.
Queen Park Ranger’s’s 36 year old defender, Ferdinand, who grew up in south-east Peckham, has three beautiful young children with his wife and “soul mate” of many years as he so brightly calls her. Miss Ellison has devastatingly left behind her three little children, which makes this even more heart shattering to cover. Their eldest Lorenz is nine, Tate is six and their youngest daughter Tia is only four years old.
SUPPORT FROM FANS
Overwhelming support has flooded in since the news hit the world. Goalkeeper McCarthy wrote “It’s such devastating news about Rebecca Ferdinand… My thoughts go out to him and his family.” Within 24 hours of losing Rebecca, Ferdinand released a statement of his own declaring that his “Wonderful Wife” had “passed away peacefully” at the hospital that night.
Ferdinand took to the QPR website to release an official update:
“She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration. I, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca’s parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.”
Twitter imploded and exploded with moral support and words of sheer heartfelt condolences towards the football legend and his family: One fan expressed “Rio I’m so sorry for your loss, my family and I know how you feel, Stay strong” and another supporting fan shared a photo of him and his wife whom he had lost too with the caption “Your pain: no one knows but those who had experienced it, my heart feels your levels. I know them tears”
The sentimental tweets were touching and full of emotions, it brought tears to my eyes just from reading them, and at a time like this these words of understanding and support mean absolutely everything.
Ferdinand thanked the carers and staff who treated his 34 year old wife since her diagnoses adding: “I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clark at the Royal Marsden.
Manchester United’s former goalie Schmeichel also tweeted words of shock and support “Really sad news that Rebecca Ellison, the wife of Rio Ferdinand has passed away. My condolences to Rio, their children and the family. RIP”
And his whole former Man United team, which Rio spent many years also shared: “Everybody’s thoughts at #mufc are with Rio Ferdinand today, whose wife sadly passed away last night.”
We at eye of media send our deep condolences to Rio and his family, and wish them all the strength in this difficult time.
