Finding out that a family member or friend has cancer can be devastating, as twin sisters Talya and Eliana Buckland discovered when their Tottenham Hotspur-supporting dad Jimmy was diagnosed with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer 10 years ago.
"He [dad] always said that it was the hardest thing to tell us," Talya and Eliana wrote in a letter to Spurs captain and big favourite Son Heung-min. "We were just eight years old at the time.
"Unfortunately it had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver. We knew that it was never going away.
"We have been brought up as massive Tottenham fans by our dad, who lives and breathes Spurs.
"Despite the uncertainty with our dad's cancer, we always see football as a place where we can all escape what is truly going on. We go to as many games as we can together. It's just us and dad."
Son was so moved by the letter that he wrote back to the twins, inviting them to bring their dad for a special day at the club's Hotspur Way training ground.
They did not, however, know that Son himself was going to put in a surprise appearance!
After greeting the family with hugs and having a chat, Son signed his own No 7 shirt for Jimmy, who went on to meet other players including Emerson Royal, Pedro Porro and Ben Davies, before watching his heroes train.
"Family is the most important value of life and it is important that you keep everyone close in the tough moments," said Son, who was clearly moved by meeting the family.
"I was getting really emotional when I see your letter, and obviously I am a little bit [of an] emotional guy, but still the letter was very going to my heart.
"I just wanted to do something for you guys and make you something special - memories. For me as well, it was great to see your letter.
"It's inspirational for me to hear about your dad, and his bravery during those hard moments. My heart goes out to all of you."
