Bridget's Battle

Hi, My name is Edel Moore, and I am fundraising for an amazing little girl Bridget Hynes and her parents, Colleen Feenessy Hynes and Paraic Hynes.

Bridget is a beautiful, bright, intelligent and bubbly little girl. She is a very active, athletic, competitive child as you would expect an 11-year-old to be. She plays for our local GAA football club Cumann Peile Naomh Anna under 12's , soccer with CS Mac Dara, and An Ghaeltach Rugbaí (Rugby). She is also involved with the

Gasóga Mara na Gaeltachta (Sea Scouts) and Club Óige Leitirmóir (Youth Club). She's always active, never stops moving and getting involved.

On the 15th of May, Bridget slipped while out kayaking, injuring her knee. The doctor was contacted who sent her to the Accident and Emergency department for a diagnostic X-ray to rule out a break. The x-ray found an anomaly above her knee.

At that moment, her life and the life of her family changed forever.

Things moved fast after that point. After extensive CT scans, MRIs, blood tests and more X-rays, the family were being prepared for the worst-case scenario. They had found a tumour above her knee.

Devasting doesn't describe the feeling they had. The doctors referred her to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on the 22nd of May. They met with more doctors

and performed a bone biopsy, which confirmed their worst fears.

Bridget was diagnosed with a very rare, life-threatening aggressive form of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma.

They were introduced to a wonderful team in Crumlin, Dr. Sarah Curry

Oncologist, Dr. Jacques Noel and Dr. Alan Molloy, Orthopaedic Surgeons and all St. John's Ward staff. A specialized treatment plan was drawn up for her to begin her journey to fight this Cancer.

Her journey has already started with her first round of Chemotherapy completed, in true Bridget style she

came through it with a smile and no complaints. But this is just the beginning.

Over the next eight to twelve months, there will be many more rounds of chemotherapy followed by surgery where the affected bone will be removed, and reconstruction will commence involving a metal implant. This will be followed by yet more Chemotherapy.

Looking to the future and with the very best of luck, in 12 months' time we could be the other side of this and in remission. But unfortunately, Bridgets journey will not end there. She is still facing a lifetime of further reconstructive surgeries to her leg. As she grows the need for new implants, physiotherapy, scans etc will follow her.

Bridget's parents, Paraic and Colleen, have taken time off work to focus all of their

time and energy on being with and supporting not only Bridget and her care, but for the support that their two other young children Michael (12) and James(8), will need.

The current future holds many journeys up to Crumlin for the family, many over night stays. Funds raised would go soley to daily living expenses and monthly bills in this unexpected time of need.

We all wish Bridget the Best and hope she makes a full and fast recovery.

We continue to send love and support to Bridget and her family.