Football star Alyssa Hann’s shocking diagnosis

Little did Alyssa Hann know the back pain she was experiencing was something far worse than she could’ve ever imagined.

Alyssa Hann, 16, was diagnosed with cancer in September. Picture: Supplied by family

“I’ve got cancer.” That’s all 16-year-old Alyssa Hann could say when doctors said the back pain she was experiencing was in fact leukaemia.

“She didn’t stop repeating it until she started crying,” her mum, Kylie Hann, said.

Last month Alyssa went to emergency at Flinders Medical Centre twice with excruciating back pain.

The second time, her condition was so bad she was admitted for a week before being flown to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

A few days later, on September 29, Ms Hann, who is from Seaford Heights, was told her daughter had acute myeloid leukaemia.

“We got the news on Friday at four o’clock and within an hour and a half she started her first round of chemo,” the 40-year-old mum said.

Alyssa Hann (right) with her mum Kylie Hann (middle) and dad Scott Hann (left). Picture: Supplied by family

Ms Hann said her and her husband, Alyssa’s dad, Scott Hann, didn’t process the news well.

“It was absolutely devastating … but naturally we had to push through because they wanted to start the chemo so quickly.”

For Alyssa, who plays under 17’s A-grade football at McLaren Districts Football Club, the first question she had was whether she would be able to play football next season – a question no one knew the answer to.

“She used to play two games of A-grade footy … watching her go from that to not even being able to get out of bed or walk 10 steps to the toilet, it’s been super hard for both her and us,” Ms Hann said.

Alyssa Hann plays for the McLaren District Football Club in the under 17s A-grade team. Picture: Supplied by family

Alyssa is now going through her first round of chemotherapy. Doctors plan for the 16-year-old to go through two rounds before she must travel to Sydney for a bone-marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant.

“No one can give us what the outcomes are going to be,” Ms Hann said. “The unknown is the scariest.”

The 16-year-old said she’ll receive letters from friends and classmates telling her to “get well soon”.

“That’s not happening anytime soon,” she said.

“I’ve got cancer, it’s not going away overnight.”

Ms Hann said her daughter truly appreciates everyone’s well wishes but psychologically the affects of cancer are starting to take its toll.

“She’s absolutely terrified,” she said.

But the Hann family have committed to being positive during this situation.

“A positive mindset is half the battle,” Ms Hann said.

Mr and Ms Hann are rallying around their daughter supporting her with positive thoughts the treatments will be successful.

If you’d like to donate to the Hann family you can here.