Cathal's chance in a lifetime
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Hello everyone and welcome to Cathal's GoFundMe page.
I am Cathal’s auntie and along with my family and my sister in-laws family, I have set up this page to help raise funds for Cathal and his parents, Phillip & Andrea.
The story so far.......
Cathal was born on the 24th August 2004 in Castlebar General Hospital, Co. Mayo Ireland.
For the first 6 weeks, he was like any other newborn baby, happy and healthy. Things became a little worrying when he suddenly began to bring up his milk at each feed. He was bought to the local doctor, as his parents were quite worried. He was referred to the local hospital, had a MRI scan and was sent by emergency helicopter to Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital for Children.
It was at this stage that my brother and sister in-law received the shattering news that Cathal had a rare Malignant Neuroblastoma at the base of his skull.
You can read more about Neuroblastoma in children here
Both in their early 20’s this news changed their lives forever.
He had an operation to remove the malignant mass at 6 weeks old, removing as much of this cancerous mass as was possible, at such a young age.
Image: My brother Phillip with Cathal at 6 weeks old
Image: Cathal in his hospital bed, Crumlin Hosptial, Dublin.
Years would follow with numerous operations and hospital visits, Cathal had to adapt at a very young age to living with a tracheostomy, feeding tubes and generally not living the normal life of a child. He also learnt how to talk with the help of a special talking valve fitted to his tracheostomy.
During this period in his young life, the only way we would know he was either in pain or upset was seeing the tears run down his face, as he was unable to make any noise.
Cathal was also connected to a heart monitor whilst he slept as there was always a danger that he could stop breathing and there was no way of knowing this as he made no sound.
Image: Cathal in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin.
Image: Cathal in his Liverpool kit.
Image: Cathal and his first snow experience.
At the age of 9, Cathal finally had his tracheostomy removed however, he has been left with a feeding tube in his stomach meaning he is unable to eat and drink properly. This has led to him having numerous chest infections and pneumonia, therefore his hospital visits, which often mean him having to travel across the country to Dublin, seem to be never ending.
Image: Cathal looking cute!
He is now 14 years old and attending Secondary School, he tries to continue to adapt to life as a normal teenager, carrying a feeding rucksack for his lunch and dinner time meal.
Image: Cathal in his Secondary School uniform.
Where will your money go?
Cathal’s consultant in Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital has over the years presented Cathal’s rare case at medical conferences all over the world.
In the Autumn of 2017 he once again discussed Cathal’s case at one of these conferences, where a leading French consultant, specialising in children’s cancers put up his hand and said, “I think I can help Cathal”.
Dr Pierre Fayoux has spoken directly with Cathal’s parents, Phillip & Andrea. The plan he has put in place is for them to travel to Lille, France, for him to carry out ‘Hypo pharyngeal Pharynoplastic’ - to cut out a section of Cathal’s throat to enable his neck muscles to strengthen which will mean he would be able to finally eat and drink as normal plus lead a normal teenagers life going forward.
This opportunity is a chance in a lifetime for Cathal as there is nobody else in the world that is able/prepared to carry out such an operation.
“Cathal’s amazing team of doctors/surgeons in Crumlin have exhausted every avenue here in Ireland for him this last 14 yrs. and for that we are so grateful to them, for saving Cathal’s life & for all they have done for us over the years, but for Cathal’s quality of life we have no option but to travel to France for this life changing surgery as this procedure cannot be done in Ireland. This is his only hope and we are blessed that this surgeon was found in the hope of restoring Cathal’s quality of life” Phillip & Andrea (Cathal’s parents)
The money raised from this campaign will help fund the costs that Cathal’s parents will incur, traveling to and from Ireland and France, accommodation for anything from 2-4 weeks whilst there. Additional travel costs for Cathal’s 2 brothers Jack (10) & John (3) to travel to visit Cathal. As well as the loss of earnings, due to Phillip & Andrea’s time off work.
Once the operation is done, Cathal may need to travel back to France for his 6-week check-up.
If there are additional funds left over after target is met, the money will be donated to Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital and their continued fight against Children’s cancers.
Thank you so much for reading Cathal’s story, any donation no matter how small would be gratefully appreciated.
Please help us raise awareness of this campaign by sharing the link to help support Cathal x
Image: Cathal, 14 years old.
Image: A very proud auntie!
I am Cathal’s auntie and along with my family and my sister in-laws family, I have set up this page to help raise funds for Cathal and his parents, Phillip & Andrea.
The story so far.......
Cathal was born on the 24th August 2004 in Castlebar General Hospital, Co. Mayo Ireland.
For the first 6 weeks, he was like any other newborn baby, happy and healthy. Things became a little worrying when he suddenly began to bring up his milk at each feed. He was bought to the local doctor, as his parents were quite worried. He was referred to the local hospital, had a MRI scan and was sent by emergency helicopter to Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital for Children.
It was at this stage that my brother and sister in-law received the shattering news that Cathal had a rare Malignant Neuroblastoma at the base of his skull.
You can read more about Neuroblastoma in children here
Both in their early 20’s this news changed their lives forever.
He had an operation to remove the malignant mass at 6 weeks old, removing as much of this cancerous mass as was possible, at such a young age.
Image: My brother Phillip with Cathal at 6 weeks oldImage: Cathal in his hospital bed, Crumlin Hosptial, Dublin.Years would follow with numerous operations and hospital visits, Cathal had to adapt at a very young age to living with a tracheostomy, feeding tubes and generally not living the normal life of a child. He also learnt how to talk with the help of a special talking valve fitted to his tracheostomy.
During this period in his young life, the only way we would know he was either in pain or upset was seeing the tears run down his face, as he was unable to make any noise.
Cathal was also connected to a heart monitor whilst he slept as there was always a danger that he could stop breathing and there was no way of knowing this as he made no sound.
Image: Cathal in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin. Image: Cathal in his Liverpool kit.Image: Cathal and his first snow experience. At the age of 9, Cathal finally had his tracheostomy removed however, he has been left with a feeding tube in his stomach meaning he is unable to eat and drink properly. This has led to him having numerous chest infections and pneumonia, therefore his hospital visits, which often mean him having to travel across the country to Dublin, seem to be never ending.
Image: Cathal looking cute! He is now 14 years old and attending Secondary School, he tries to continue to adapt to life as a normal teenager, carrying a feeding rucksack for his lunch and dinner time meal.
Image: Cathal in his Secondary School uniform. Where will your money go?
Cathal’s consultant in Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital has over the years presented Cathal’s rare case at medical conferences all over the world.
In the Autumn of 2017 he once again discussed Cathal’s case at one of these conferences, where a leading French consultant, specialising in children’s cancers put up his hand and said, “I think I can help Cathal”.
Dr Pierre Fayoux has spoken directly with Cathal’s parents, Phillip & Andrea. The plan he has put in place is for them to travel to Lille, France, for him to carry out ‘Hypo pharyngeal Pharynoplastic’ - to cut out a section of Cathal’s throat to enable his neck muscles to strengthen which will mean he would be able to finally eat and drink as normal plus lead a normal teenagers life going forward.
This opportunity is a chance in a lifetime for Cathal as there is nobody else in the world that is able/prepared to carry out such an operation.
“Cathal’s amazing team of doctors/surgeons in Crumlin have exhausted every avenue here in Ireland for him this last 14 yrs. and for that we are so grateful to them, for saving Cathal’s life & for all they have done for us over the years, but for Cathal’s quality of life we have no option but to travel to France for this life changing surgery as this procedure cannot be done in Ireland. This is his only hope and we are blessed that this surgeon was found in the hope of restoring Cathal’s quality of life” Phillip & Andrea (Cathal’s parents)
The money raised from this campaign will help fund the costs that Cathal’s parents will incur, traveling to and from Ireland and France, accommodation for anything from 2-4 weeks whilst there. Additional travel costs for Cathal’s 2 brothers Jack (10) & John (3) to travel to visit Cathal. As well as the loss of earnings, due to Phillip & Andrea’s time off work.
Once the operation is done, Cathal may need to travel back to France for his 6-week check-up.
If there are additional funds left over after target is met, the money will be donated to Dublin’s Crumlin Hospital and their continued fight against Children’s cancers.
Thank you so much for reading Cathal’s story, any donation no matter how small would be gratefully appreciated.
Please help us raise awareness of this campaign by sharing the link to help support Cathal x
Image: Cathal, 14 years old.Image: A very proud auntie!Organizer
Edel Marie Furey
Organizer