Bobby Power: Mum's 'heart melts' at response to son's death

Father of three and personal trainer Bobby Power died aged 40 from cancer

The mother of a former Manchester United youth player who died of cancer said the outpouring of love since his death "just melts my heart".

Bobby Power died aged 40 last month after what his family said was "six months of hell" as they begged two Manchester hospitals to treat him.

They said he could not start treatment due to seven inconclusive biopsies.

A Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said the family's concerns were being looked into.

The father of three and personal trainer was told in August last year he had cancer, but doctors said he needed further tests to confirm what type.

Bobby Power had strong social media following and shared his cancer journey online

His family told BBC Radio Manchester he had seven inconclusive biopsies at North Manchester General Hospital, and was told at one point his tumour was benign.

However, his family said a radiologist later told Bobby he did have pancreatic cancer, but doctors would not start treatment due to the inconclusive biopsies.

They said they continued to plead with medics to take action when he was transferred to Manchester Royal Infirmary, and in January this year it was agreed he could have surgery.

But he rapidly deteriorated and surgery was ruled out, before Bobby died on 29 February at Dr Kershaw's Hospice in Oldham.

"It was disgusting how they handled his diagnoses", his mum Estrella Barry said, while his wife Jemma Power-Bliss said the family were "hitting brick walls every where we went, it was heart-breaking".

Bobby Power's family said tributes to him have been "amazing"

His 20-year-old daughter Loren Power said: "for us to watch our dad die like that, it's just absolutely disgusting".

"We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Bobby's family at this difficult time", a spokesman for the trust, which the two NHS hospitals operate under, said.

"Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service team are looking into the concerns raised by his family."

Bobby married Jemma weeks before he died at a service arranged by Kershaw's Hospice.

Loren Power said the wedding was "beautiful", but "sad because we knew what was going to happen".

She paid tribute to her father as a "single parent who was the most amazing dad, and was our best friend".

"We never thought in a million years he'd get poorly like this and die, and we're absolutely heartbroken."

Bobby had grown a large social media following before his diagnosis for his positive outlook, his family said, and continued to share his journey with cancer.

Bobby Power married his wife Jemma Power-Bliss weeks before he died

His death has prompted an outpouring of support, with many explaining how they had been touched by his "infectious personality", Loren said.

"He made everyone laugh and smile, he had such a big presence every where he went," his 19-year-old daughter Kaitlyn said.

A funeral planned as a "massive celebration of his life" is set to be held next Thursday at the Catholic Church of St Patrick on Livesey Street in Collyhurst, his mother said.

"The outpouring of love from so many people is just amazing, it just melts my heart," she said.

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