By Andrew Atkinson
Villamartin based snooker star Willie Thorne has been told by doctors that he has to remain in hospital – underlining the danger of not being overlooked by medics that he could die.
Thorne, 66, in Torrevieja hospital, Spain, is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia, has had multiple blood transfusions and has a fever.
“Willie has had an investigation procedure and awaiting the results,” said Julie O’Neill, who is overlooking Thorne’s welfare.
“Willie has been asking the medics when he can go home – but they told him they need to get to the bottom of what is going on.
“It’s very dangerous. If he goes home – without the doctors knowing or managing what’s going on – then he could die,” revealed O’Neill.
“Being told that you could die is a hard pill to swallow,” she added.
He was rushed to Torrevieja Hospital on May 2 – following concerns about his health “and now they have decided to kee Willie in longer,” said Julie O’Niell, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for cash-strapped Thorne last month.
Thorne has undergone multiple blood transfusions in the last week and is also on the next stage of chemotherapy treatment.
Added to this Thorne has suffered with gout and has a fever.
“Willie keeps getting a fever – and having prolonged issues with both legs,” said O’Neill.
Thorne underwent heart and MRI scans, after being rushed to hospital and further medical tests are being investigated.
“The doctors are going to put Willie asleep and put something down his throat for investigations,” said O’Neill.
“The hospital are doing everything possible to find the cause of infection he has – and underlying issues – causing complications,” said O’Neill.
See also: Willie Thorne admitted to hospital for heart scan
O’Neill said that she has not been told about the results from the MRI and heart scans: “We just have to continue to wait and see,” added O’Neill.
The GoFundMe campaign has a target of €30,000 and almost €20,000 has been raised.
The fund received an anonymous donation of €5,000 on May 7.
Lesley Marsden, who donated €45, has thanked Thorne, following his and former England and Spurs star Paul Gascoigne’s generosity and kindness, when Gazza came to the Costa Blanca in 2019.
“Willie Thorne is a gentleman. He was very kind to my husband last year, when we went to see Paul Gascoigne in Spain.
“My husband has Motor Neurone Disease and Willie made sure we had our photograph taken with Paul,” said Lesley.
“Willie also went out of his way and got us seated at a table, near the front,” said Lesley.
The couple attended An Evening with Paul Gascoigne event, that saw the football legend spend time in Cabo Roig, Benidorm, and also visited Quesada.
Lesley added: “Willie Thorne also got my Spurs shirt signed by Paul Gascoigne. Hopefully he will get well soon. Willie is a true gent.”
If you would like to donate to the campaign please go to:
www.gofundme.co/f/willie-thorne-recovery
