Georgia O’Connor: Born Fighter

Georgia O’Connor: Born Fighter

The word “cancer” is hard enough to digest. But when it is swiftly followed by an even harsher and more definitive word, you can only contemplate how hard it must be for someone who is on the receiving end of such words. Georgia O’Connor had the words cancer and terminal said to her. Words that have changed everything for her. An emotional, heartbreaking social media post followed after a short period of trying to process what had been said to her. But how can you possibly process something like that?

But Georgia has come out swinging. A vow to win the biggest fight of her young life. Georgia O’Connor is a born fighter. In truth, she’s had to be. Battling many things in her life. Always with a smile. Undefeated in everything she has ever done. Despite the odds, you suspect that 0 will remain. Cancer will hit hard. Georgia, you suspect will hit a little harder.

The outpouring of support for Georgia O’Connor isn’t surprising. The whole of her sport is seemingly in her corner. Friends and family rallying in support. But you wouldn’t expect anything less. A GoFund page was set up by her parents earlier this week. At the time of writing, it had already raised over £14,000. It will undoubtedly go much higher.

I’ve thought a lot about Georgia this week. I’m certainly not alone in that. I’ve wondered what she must be going through. But how can anyone’s thoughts really replicate hers? I’ve also thought about other people in the same situation as Georgia. Georgia was begging to be seen. Crying out for help that never came. Others would have experienced the exact same life-changing circumstances. A broken NHS creaking at the seems because of years of neglect. It’s almost criminal what has happened to Georgia and others. Maybe that’s exactly what it is. Georgia, an innocent victim of that neglect.

I’ve thought about her boxing career also. Three fights that should have been more. Boxing, like the NHS, has failed her. But that doesn’t matter anymore. Life does. Her life.

If anyone could justifiably play the victim card, it’s Georgia O’Connor. But that’s not what she does. That’s not what she’s about. Georgia just smiles a little more and fights a little harder. That’s what she always does. Her life to date tells us that. Why do we doubt that when this is all over, it will be cancer that will be the victim. Another bell will ring for Georgia. The greatest victory of all.

Georgia is spitting defiance ahead of her big fight against the ‘Big C’. Fighting words, promising victory, and more. But seriously, would you expect anything less?

This is a fight that won’t be won by miles on the road or time spent honing her craft in a boxing gym. Georgia will need her patented resilience and a whole lot more to win. She will need to find something that only a born fighter can. If anyone can find what she needs right now, it’s Georgia O’Connor.