Help Ann Receive Vital Cancer Treatment

Hi everyone, my name is Róise. I am fundraising for my beautiful mammy Ann.

A little about Ann

From the Gaeltacht region of Gaoth Dobhair in North-West Donegal, Ann is well known and loved in Irish Traditional Music circles as a beautiful singer and musician. She has been a powerhouse in the Irish television and film industry for many years. It’s difficult to articulate how special she is and how much she means to everyone around her.

Those lucky enough to know her know of her free-spirited soul and her passion for life and adventure. An incredibly selfless, generous, kind and loving mother, sister, auntie, and friend - she always goes above and beyond for those she loves, and now it’s our turn to do the same for her.

Diagnosis and treatments

During a challenging time in a global pandemic, Ann became unwell. Then, in November 2020, we received the devastating news that Ann had a large cancerous tumor that had spread to her liver and lymph nodes. She underwent liver surgery and a colostomy that Christmas before beginning six weeks of intensive radiation and chemo in the New Year. Major surgery in April 2021 successfully removed the tumor, including lymph nodes, appendix and a full hysterectomy. Although her journey has not been linear, including some further surgery due to post-operative complications, Ann completed another 12 sessions of chemotherapy. Finally, she finished her last dose in May 2022. The doctors were pleased, and she was told she was clear of cancer.

Two weeks ago, not long after celebrating her 57th birthday, we received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned to her pelvic bone. The doctors have told us it is ‘incurable’ and the only treatment available for her now in Ireland is palliative. Their opinion is that she has months to a year left.

Appeal for urgent help

We have no doubt that Ann can defy the odds. She is a fighter and will not give up. We have identified an integrative oncology treatment in Mexico with promising statistics to find a cure or give her a longer, better quality of life. We are also looking at supporting treatments such as hyperthermia therapy and castor oil therapy. Any chance at life or extending it is all we want, and we hope to achieve it.

So far, Ann has faced many barriers in accessing necessary healthcare from Donegal, particularly the cost of accommodation in Dublin for prolonged hospital treatments. We are so grateful to Donegal Cancer Flights & Services for subsidising Ann’s flights; without it traveling for treatment would not have been possible.

While creating massive financial burdens, cancer also took away Ann’s ability to earn a living. We learned the hard way that without enough PRSI contributions, self-employed people cannot claim illness benefits. As a result, last year, Ann was left with little choice but to return to work alongside her chemotherapy which added unnecessary hardship to her healing journey. With her latest diagnosis, she is now unable to work and has no source of income.

We want to get Ann to Mexico. Please consider donating what you can to this GoFundMe. The funds will be used for the treatment and for any additional therapies. We are so grateful for any help, no matter how small. If you wish to contribute or assist through alternative means, please feel free to contact me below.

Tá mise agus teaghlach Uí Mhaonaigh uilig fíor bhuíoch as aon chuidiú a thig libh a thabhairt don chiste seo. Is í Ann ár gcara agus ár gcrann taca agus ba mhaith linn tacú léí ar dhóigh ar bith gur féidir linn.

Go raibh míle maith agat.