Wrexham star reveals Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds’ incredible gesture after shock health diagnosis
ANTHONY FORDE has revealed Ryan Reynolds’ incredible gesture in response to his wife’s shock health diagnosis.
The Wrexham co-owner stepped in to help after she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Forde missed part of last season following his wife Laura’s diagnosis, with manager Phil Parkinson passing on the news to owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Reynolds was able to help the couple get a second opinion on the diagnosis, with Forde helping the actor for his support.
Speaking in the latest episode of Welcome to Wrexham, he explained: “It just didn’t feel like it was real.
“The gaffer told the owners about the news and they reached out. Ryan helped get a second opinion.
“It’s something that he doesn’t have to do, he doesn’t have to do that.”
The second opinion saw Laura learn of a “best case scenario” compared to the results of her first MRI scan.
She had been told the brain tumour was not curable, inoperable and she should expect to have a short life expectancy after noticing an issue days after welcoming her newborn baby.
Laura had felt her co-ordination was “off” along with distress in her left arm.
Forde was absent from the Wrexham squad throughout March and for the first half of April following the news.
He later returned to the squad to help them win the National League and has played 10 matches so far this term.
After Reynolds’ intervention, Laura underwent a biopsy which saw her discover the tumour was a grade 1 Thalamic pilocytic astrocytoma – a benign tumour and much less fatal than the first verdict.
Whilst the couple did not reveal details of her ongoing “treatment plan” or recovery in the episode, Forde added he felt indebted to Reynolds for his help.
Laura also revealed in a social media post back in September that their had been no growth to the tumour.