Heartbreak as brave boy, six, dies after third cancer battle
Tommy Verbicka has died following a four year battle with cancer
Tommy was diagnosed with Wilms tumour when he was just two years old
A beloved six-year-old boy from Greater Manchester who battled cancer three times has died. Tommy Verbicka, from Sale, was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer, when he was just two years old.
He underwent chemotherapy, surgery and countless hospital visits, and he rang the end-of-treatment bell in November 2022, before sadly relapsing twice and facing cancer for a third time.
Tommy’s family announced his death on Saturday, April 11, saying they hope he is ‘flying high, dancing through the rainbows.’
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They said: “Our special boy Tommy we hope you’re flying high, dancing through the rainbows. Until we meet again our precious boy.”
PA REAL LIFE: Rebecca described Tommy as her ‘warrior’. The parents of a “resilient” six-year-old boy who is facing cancer for a third time are fundraising to access treatment abroad to give him “the best possible chance of beating this”. At just two years old, in February 2022, Tommy Verbickas, from Sale, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer, after doctors discovered a 2.3kg mass on his left kidney. Issue date: Friday September 19, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story REAL LIFE Wilms. Photo credit should read: Family Handouts/PA Real Life
NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE Wilms. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlet’s agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at [email protected] or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries
Earlier this week, the family posted about Tommy’s condition and how sad they were that they wouldn’t have more time with him.
They said: “Tommy is still fighting, just as he has done for the past four years. It all feels so unbearably unfair, especially with how quickly everything is happening. I truly believed we’d have more time – time for one last trip to the beach altogether, another battle royale on his PS5, and simply for him to give his dog one more cuddle.
“Watching your precious child fade before your eyes is a pain no parent should ever have to endure. It’s the most heartbreaking kind of helplessness.
“He is genuinely incredible, and with every breath he takes, he keeps showing just how strong and determined he is.”
In an post on April 4, Tommy’s mum spoke about how the cancer in his lung had rapidly progressed and how his condition was deteriorating, calling it ‘the hardest thing we’ve ever faced’.
Tommy rang the bell for end of treatment in 2022 before sadly relapsing
Since his passing, tributes and kind words have flooded in for the ‘most amazing, bravest and courageous little boy’ who showed ‘so much strength and bravery.’
Karen Harrison said: “Tommy the most amazing, bravest and courageous little boy who we love so much. Words can’t describe how we feel right now.
“But we know he will be the brightest star shining in the sky tonight and always. We will never forget him and his cheeky ways and that he still called me Mrs Harrison after 4 years.”
Another tribute said that Tommy had ‘fought a fight no child ever should’. Jill Stephens said: “He fought a fight no child ever should, but boy did he fight. You gave him everything, every chance, every bit of love. We will always carry him with us, and we will now help carry you through life ahead.”
It comes after the family launched a fundraiser for Tommy last year to try and give him “the best possible chance of beating” the disease through clinical trials and innovative therapies not available through the NHS.
A fundraising super car show was planned for Tommy, who loved super cars, yesterday to help raise funds for his GoFundMe. Following his passing, the show still went ahead in Tommy’s memory.
