My name is Neil White and I am cycling 500km from Malin Head (Donegal) to Hook Head (Wexford) on the 27th-29th July 2019 to raise funds to support Cassie and her family.

Cassie Stephens is 27 years old, from Waterford City, and is cared for by her wonderful parents Mary and John.

Cassie suffers from tuberous sclerosis, a rare disease that causes tumors in her brain, heart, lungs and skin. Another effect of the disease is epilepsy, which began the day Cassie was born. Her condition worsened over the years to a point last year when she was suffering over 300 seizures per month, putting her heart and body under tremendous pressure - even breaking bones and requiring intensive care treatment. 

Mary and John have researched and tried every avenue possible over the years, but nothing helped. This year they obtained license to obtain treatment from Holland. This has been what Mary and John describe as a miracle - Cassie is having less than 20 seizures per month (from 300), and is smiling and reacting to her family like never before. This treatment is life changing for Cassie and her family. 

However - the HSE have refused funding for the medication - at a cost of approximately €1000 per month - which so far Mary & John have paid for with savings and loans. This is a situation which is obviously not sustainable. So please, give what you can to help Cassie. 

Thank you!
Neil.