Boy’s Eye Sparkles with Club Colors After Cancer Battle in Switzerland

Bodø/Glimt could write a piece of Champions League history tonight, and that prospect is particularly inspiring to one young fan: Fredrik Sjøvold. The ten-year-ancient Norwegian is, one of the club’s most devoted supporters, a fact recognized with a stunning display of support at the Aspmyra Stadion last September during Bodø/Glimt’s first home match in the Champions League knockout phase – a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.

Fredrik’s story, still, extends far beyond unwavering fandom. It’s a story of resilience, of a battle fought and won with the help of specialized medical care found in Switzerland, and a testament to the power of hope symbolized by the colors he now sees every day.

Born healthy, Fredrik’s parents noticed a slight misalignment in his eyes when he was just one year old. Initially, they weren’t overly concerned, believing a simple patch could stimulate the weaker eye and correct the issue. A routine visit to an ophthalmologist quickly dispelled that hope. Fredrik was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the retina, primarily in children.

“We were just coming for a routine check-up. Suddenly, we were told he had cancer,” Fredrik’s father recalled to the Norwegian organization Barnekreftforeningen, which supports children battling cancer. The news was devastating.

Within a week, the family traveled to Switzerland, seeking the expertise of leading specialists and access to a treatment not yet available in Norway. Family photos depict Fredrik in his stroller along the shores of Lake Geneva, a poignant image given the location of the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne, a world-renowned center for retinoblastoma treatment.

Over the course of a year, Fredrik and his parents made approximately ten trips to western Switzerland, allowing him to undergo multiple cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy. This procedure involves inserting a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin, guiding it to the ophthalmic artery supplying the eye, and delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor.

The treatment proved effective, shrinking the tumor. However, its size and duration meant it had already caused significant damage, including retinal detachment. Despite attempts to reattach the retina – a painful process involving cooling the eye with liquid nitrogen – doctors ultimately determined that enucleation, the surgical removal of the eye, was necessary.

Fredrik has since grown and is now cancer-free. He wears a prosthetic eye, but refuses to hide it. In fact, he embraced the opportunity to personalize it. As a passionate football fan, he requested a prosthetic designed in the colors of his beloved Bodø/Glimt, inspired by the club’s logo. The new eye, ordered several months ago, is a vibrant symbol of his unwavering spirit.

This decision transformed Fredrik into a fan favorite, leading to unforgettable experiences organized by Bodø/Glimt. He’s had the chance to attend matches up close and even train with the professional team.

His visual impairment hasn’t diminished his passion for the game. “I witness with my right eye, which gives me a good overview of the field,” he explained. He currently plays as a left midfielder for one of Bodø/Glimt’s youth teams.

Fittingly, “Glimt” translates to “sparkle” in English. And that’s precisely what shines in Fredrik’s eyes – not just because of his prosthetic, but likewise because of his club’s remarkable Champions League run. As Bodø/Glimt chases a historic quarterfinal berth, they carry with them the inspiration of a young fan whose story embodies courage, hope, and the enduring power of the beautiful game.