The Bellarine sports community rallies around St Leonards boy Will Wilson after shock cancer diagnosis

A backyard scooter accident has revealed an underlying condition which threatens the future of a brave, sports-loving 11-year-old boy on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Will Wilson, a passionate go-kart enthusiast, is currently battling an aggressive tumour on his right arm. Picture: Katrina Wilson.

An incredibly brave and sports-loving St Leonards boy faces an uncertain future, following a backyard incident that unmasked a health issue which had been lurking beneath the surface for more than a decade.

Will Wilson was your typical outgoing pre-teen before an accident at the family home nearly 12 months ago completely changed his life’s trajectory.

The keen Drysdale cricketer and Portarlington footballer, also loved his fishing, go-karts and the Geelong Football Club, going by the nickname “Danger” and turns 12 in September.

However, last year during the school holidays while riding his scooter in the backyard, Will fell on his right arm, resulting in a minor fracture.

Young Cats fan Will Wilson with Ollie Dempsey and Mark Blicavs, just a few weeks before going into hospital. Picture: gofundme

Put in a sling and encouraged to rest and take pain relief when required, the family didn’t think much more of it.

But in May, Will’s arm began to swell noticeably and was hot to the touch, sparking mother Katrina’s intuition.

“I thought something’s not quite right here,” Katrina told this masthead.

Will was taken to emergency department at Geelong Hospital, where his father Adam received some heartbreaking news the following morning.

“We were there overnight and then one of the orthopaedic doctors said: ‘it could be an infection but I think it’s cancer’,” Katrina recalled.

“Which was a massive shock ... it was pretty earth-shattering.”

Will Wilson was a very active young b. Picture: Katrina Wilson.

After swiftly connecting with the Royal Children’s Hospital, and then MRIs, biopsies and further tests, the family came to discover it was an aggressive tumour known as ewing sarcoma.

Katrina has come to learn it's a genetic mutation at birth, which can stay masked until young people reach adolescence, and one of the signs was fragile bones.

She said the tumour can be hidden, thought of as mere growing pains or a sprained muscle, in the arms, legs or the groins.

Receiving fortnightly chemotherapy, that will be Will’s routine until February at this stage.

Largely housebound and having to keep his arm as still as possible, Will has missed his friends terribly at St Thomas Primary School in Drysdale.

“A big shock,” Katrina said of the impact on her son.

Will Wilson just two days before being admitted to hospital. Picture: Katrina Wilson.

“He’s a pretty social kid, so he misses all of his friends from school.

“He loves school, he loves playing footy at lunch time and being with his mates.

“The hardest bit has been not being able to interact every day with his friends.

“Life came to a halt pretty quickly.”

Fortunately, Will was able to watch his Demons teammates play on the weekend, but the trip left him exhausted.

However, the biggest cause for concern is the future of his right arm, with further surgery planned in September.

It appears at this stage his entire humerus will have to be removed and possibly replaced with a fibula from one of his legs under a biological reconstruction.

Keeping movement in Will’s hands remains a top priority, but his sporting career is in some jeopardy.

Will Wilson receives chemotherapy every fortnight. Picture: Katrina Wilson.

“Hopefully he’s got a long life to live and we want to make sure he’s still got use of his hands and his wrists as possible,” Katrina said.

“We’ve been told he probably won’t be as fully functioning in terms of his shoulder and upper arm as what he has now, but the goal is to preserve something.

“We’re looking at the whole removal of a humerus bone in his arm which is pretty scary stuff for someone so outgoing.”

An incredibly stoic Katrina said the experience had been tough on the family.

“Life has pretty much been on pause since ... no school, no sport,” she said.

“It’s been tough but we’re doing everything we can.

Will Wilson loves his go-karts. Picture: Katrina Wilson.

“Will’s a very happy, funny little boy and everyone loves him, he’s hard not to love.

“We’re trying to keep him safe as possible in terms of his immunity ... wrapping him in cotton wool as much as we can.”

While the family is spreading awareness about the condition, she’s also reminding parents to listen to their intuition if they feel something is wrong with their children.

“If you do feel like something is wrong, do reach out,” she said.

“We’ve just got to keep on track and do the best we can.

“With a goal of getting him to Year 7 next year.”

The Bellarine sporting community is now rallying around Will, with a fundraising page established at website GoFundMe, raising more than $20,000 for the family’s ongoing costss.

You can donate at: gofundme.com/f/support-for-will-wilson

Originally published as The Bellarine sports community rallies around St Leonards boy Will Wilson after shock cancer diagnosis