Valerij’s Story: TEAM lithuania
In 2020, Valerij received the sudden news that he had cancer, not only one type of cancer but three.
He was in shock and feared the worse, as a recovering addict his first thought was to reach for a drink, to allow him the opportunity to run away from his problems.
Instead, his friends and team mates at FK Feniksas (FC Phoenix) told him to face up to his problems and go to the hospital.
After several chemotherapy treatments, including losing all of his hair and losing 12kg, Valerij made a full recovery. According to statistics in the country, only 3% of sufferers recover like Valerij did.
He knows how lucky he is and through football and being a part of the Homeless World Cup’s Member Country in Lithuania and being part of a team which gives him love and support, he found the strength to return to life and not to run away from it.
The Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup will be Valerij’s moment to look back on his journey and be proud of everything he’s acheived.
Find out more about our Lithuanian Member Country here