whilst playing for sunderland, defoe befriended bradley lowery, a terminally-ill six-year-old fan with neuroblastoma, describing their relationship as the "highlight of his season". lowery was named 'child of courage' at the pride of north east awards in may 2017; defoe attended the award ceremony, saying, "as a person he has changed me because of what he's going through at such a young age". lowery died on 7 july 2017, at the age of 6.