Staff at Tesco Maldon will host a charity bake sale this Friday (February 10), on behalf of their 19-year-old colleague who is currently battling cancer.

Johnny Hughes began working began working at the store during lockdown in 2020.

At Christmas, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a subtype of sarcoma that occurs in the bone. Johnny is currently undergoing chemotherapy in London.

The bake sale is set to take place at Tesco from 9am until 2pm, raising funds and awareness for Sarcoma UK, a national bone and soft tissue cancer charity.

Johnny's colleagues, family and friends are dedicated to raising funds for Sarcoma UK, which funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer, and campaigns for better treatments. It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcomas.

Johnny said: "I am lucky enough to have an amazing work family, aka 'the girls', who have been amazingly supportive since my diagnosis.

"On Friday, with the help of one of 'the girls', Michelle, we are hoping to raise a little money for Sarcoma UK, and help raise awareness of sarcoma itself.

"My cancer, osteosarcoma, is a kind of sarcoma that occurs in the bone. It is a very rare cancer that seems to affect predominantly teenagers and young adults, mainly in the arms and legs."

Sarcoma is very rare, making up less than two per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK each year.

Johnny is now urging everyone to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of sarcoma, and to contact their GP if they have any of those listed below:

• A lump which is growing, changing, or bigger than a golf ball
• Swelling, tenderness, or pain in or around the bone which may come and go and may be worse at night
• Stomach pain, feeling sick, loss of appetite or feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
• Blood in either poo or vomit.

Johnny added: "I look forward to coming to the next bake sale with Michelle, so I can say 'hi' and thank everyone for their support."

Sarcoma UK Support Line experts are available for every person affected by sarcoma. For information and support, contact Sarcoma UK via email or call 0808 801 0401.

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