Derby County have reached out to help a young Derbyshire woman battling one of the rarest cancers in the world by donating Rams memorabilia for auction.
One May 21 a pair of football boots personalised for Rams midfielder Louie Sibley – Sibbo – and signed by the rising Burton-born star will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers. DCFC fans can also bid on a Derby County 2023-24 away shirt signed by 28 members of the squad. Both lots are guided at £100-£150.
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Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, is urging Rams fans to help 22-year-old Libby Dodes conquer small cell ovarian cancer. The condition is so rare only 400 cases have been reported across the world, five in the UK.
Charles said: “My heart goes out to Libby and her family. I was extremely touched by her story but also buoyed by her determination. I have faced and beaten cancer myself so I know what’s possible. I hope people will bid high for the Rams memorabilia to help Libby. The auction lots will aid a Gofundme push to raise £300,000 to pay for medical treatment.”
Libby’s cancer was discovered by chance when she fell off her beloved horse, Coco, in October 2023 and was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured pelvis. Since then the Mickleover family’s lives have been turned upside down. But there is hope. Already £94,000 has been donated to Libby’s Gofundme page, gestures of kindness like the DCFC donation lift spirits – and Libby is a fighter.
Her mother, Vanessa Dodes, said: “The auction lots came about because Adam Storer, player support office at Derby County, is a customer at my husband, James’s, pet shop in Belper. He heard about Libby’s situation and offered to help raise funds for her treatment.
“When Libby fell from her horse a CT scan identified a very large mass in her abdomen. She was admitted to hospital and our lives were changed forever. Initially we were told Libby would undergo surgery to remove the mass but the plan changed. Surgery could not happen as the mass had attached itself to various organs and an operation was too risky.
“The doctors appeared baffled as to what the mass was so a biopsy was taken on October 27. We waited patiently for two weeks then the results came back as inconclusive. The biopsy sample was then sent to a professor in Belfast to see if he could determine what the tumour was. In this time Libby’s condition deteriorated significantly and we were told there was a possibility her heart may stop working over the weekend of November 18/19. Libby proved them wrong and continues to fight to beat this cancer.
“In November the diagnosis was received, small cell ovarian cancer. There has been very little research on this cancer due to its rarity. Having completed our own research, reaching out to doctors across the world for advice and support, we now have a possible treatment plan.
“Libby will undergo chemotherapy, followed by surgery, followed by radiotherapy and then finally immunotherapy. It’s immunotherapy we are seeking help for. This cancer is nasty and likes to come back. This therapy will give Libby the best chance to fight off any further cancer. It is not currently funded via the NHS. It costs around £8,000 per treatment and would be required every three weeks. In total this will cost in excess of £250,000. We are doing all we can to raise as much as we possibly can ourselves and very much appreciate any help anyone can offer.
“Money raised will also help create new memories for us as a family and any funds left will be split between charities we have encountered across our journey so far.
“Libby is no stranger to battling pain as she has lived her teenage life with endometriosis. In Feb 2023 she underwent laparoscopic excision surgery. After being discharged from hospital she was readmitted due to a post-operative infection and was given a CT scan. The results identified a large adenoma (a tumour that is not cancer) deep in her liver. After many consultations it was decided life-threatening surgery would not be undertaken due to Libby’s age. On October 17 – five days before her fall – the liver surgeon told Libby to go and live her life.
“Libby lives for her horses, dogs and cats, so much so she is a student veterinary nurse and loves her job. She has a passion for Boston Terriers. From the age of 10 she would wake up at 5.30am to go to the stables, in all weathers, and muck out and feed her pony before going to school. Despite all she has been through she successfully passed her first year veterinary nurse exams. This is testament to her strength as an individual.
“Libby is a phenomenal jockey and falling off is not something that happens regularly. We believe her horse, Coco, knew Libby wasn’t well and purposely over jumped causing Libby to fall and, in turn, saving her life. Libby and Coco have an exceptional bond.
“We have a long, hard road ahead of us, however Libby is a fighter and those who know her know she loves to prove people wrong and this is what she intends to do.”
The Louie Sibley football boots, lot 18, and Derby County signed shirt, lot 19, will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ May 21 Football and Sport Auction, which starts at 2pm.
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
Enquiries: [email protected] | 01283 733988
CLICK HERE to reach Libby’s Gofundme page
