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BRAVE BRAD

Bradley Lowery waves to crowds as he leads out his beloved Sunderland after family reveal new cancer blow

BRAVE cancer kid Bradley Lowery waved to crowds as he led out his beloved Sunderland following this week's devastating revelation he is battling a new tumour.

Football fan Bradley was carried on to the pitch by hero Jermain Defoe, as the club continued its support of the youngster's battle.

 Jermain Defoe carried Bradley Lowery on to the pitch today
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Jermain Defoe carried Bradley Lowery on to the pitch todayCredit: Getty Images
 Brave Bradley waved to the crowds as he was carried on to the pitch
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Brave Bradley waved to the crowds as he was carried on to the pitchCredit: Getty Images
 Young Bradley's search had the message 'Thank You Everton' after the club donated money to his fundraising appeal
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Young Bradley's search had the message 'Thank You Everton' after the club donated money to his fundraising appealCredit: PA:Press Association

Bradley, who is no stranger to cheering crowds having led his team out before and even taken part in a penalty shootout, waved to crowds before today's match against Everton.

His shirt bore the message 'Thank You Everton', after the club donated £200,000 to Bradley's family's campaign to secure potentially life saving treatment in America.

This week young Bradley was also invited to be an English mascot for their match against Lithuania on March 26.

He will step out on the pitch during the World Cup qualifier next month at Wembley Stadium.

Scan results showed the five-year-old Sunderland superfan has developed a growth at the bottom of his back.

Brave Bradley has captured the hearts of the nation as he battles neuroblastoma for the second time.

Parents Gemma and Carl launched a fundraising campaign for pioneering treatment in the US to extend his life after they were told he was terminally ill.

But in a Facebook post this week his family revealed he has developed a new tumour.

 Brave Bradley, who is battling neuroblastoma, stole the show at Sports Personality of the Year last December
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Brave Bradley, who is battling neuroblastoma, stole the show at Sports Personality of the Year last DecemberCredit: Getty Images - WireImage
 The youngster has won the hearts of players and fans after his on pitch appearances alongside his beloved Sunderland
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The youngster has won the hearts of players and fans after his on pitch appearances alongside his beloved SunderlandCredit: PA:Press Association
 Bradley's dad Carl shared this heartbreaking image last December as he cuddles his son
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Bradley's dad Carl shared this heartbreaking image last December as he cuddles his sonCredit: Twitter/Bradleysfight
 Bradley Lowery shares a big grin alongside Vito Mannone and Jermain Defoe
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Bradley Lowery shares a big grin alongside Vito Mannone and Jermain Defoe

The message on Bradley's campaign page read: "Unfortunately the results are not what we wanted to hear.

"Bradley scans show that there has been a small reduction in some parts however there is a new tumour on the bottom of his back.

"As you can imagine we are devastated and heart broken with this news as I really wanted the new treatment to work.

"We are not sure where we go from here as it will depend on his bone marrow biopsy results.

"He is getting this done tomorrow but results won't be back for another week.

"Why is life so cruel? Why do we have to get bad news time after time?

"Why does my baby not get a break?"

Bradley's family also shared the news with his 66,000 followers on Twitter.

 Romelu Lukaku carries out the young Sunderland fan before the game at Goodison Park in January
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Romelu Lukaku carries out the young Sunderland fan before the game at Goodison Park in JanuaryCredit: PA:Press Association
 Brave Bradley with Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe
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Brave Bradley with Sunderland striker Jermain DefoeCredit: PA:Press Association
 Bradley's family took to Facebook to reveal the heartbreaking news
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Bradley's family took to Facebook to reveal the heartbreaking newsCredit: Facebook
 His family also tweeted the devastating update to his thousands of supporters
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His family also tweeted the devastating update to his thousands of supportersCredit: Twitter

The tweet read: "Gutted that scans show Bradley has a new tumour growing, #devastated."

Last December dad Carl shared a heartbreaking image of him cuddling his son.

Brave Bradley, of Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, has won the hearts of players and fans after his on pitch appearances alongside his beloved Sunderland.

The youngster has been pictured with Black Cats stars Jermain Defoe and Vito Mannone.

He has also appeared as a mascot for Everton, who pledged £200,000 to his fundraising campaign.

 Bradley won the Match of the Day Goal of the Month competition in January
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Bradley won the Match of the Day Goal of the Month competition in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
 He also received a whopping 28,000 Christmas cards from well wishers
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He also received a whopping 28,000 Christmas cards from well wishersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Football fans across the country have united to help Bradley's fight against cancer.

Last year he was a star guest at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

He also received a whopping 28,000 Christmas cards from well wishers.

In January he won the Match of the Day Goal of the Month award.