Tony & Glio. A Goliath battle for one little boy.

"Every day is a Blessing "

On 27th March 2024, we discovered just how true the saying is as Tony, only 9 years old, received the diagnosis of having a sizable, aggressive brain tumour. He was rushed into surgery within 48 hours, uncertain if we would ever hear him talk or walk again. We counted our blessings, as he recovered quickly from surgery, but a few days later received the devastating news, that this was a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme: an extremely rare cancer in children and exceptionally difficult to treat.

Family and friends are starting this GoFundMe page to give everyone who knows and loves this kind, compassionate, witty and truly awesome little boy the opportunity to help him fight this rare and life limiting cancer.

Tony is an inspiration to us all. He has faced simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments after his brain surgery and smiled through it all. Despite these grueling treatments, this wee warrior has tried his best to go to school at Holy Family Primary Magherafelt, where he loves to learn and play with his friends.

He has a passion like no other for GAA football and Tony is rarely seen without a ball in hand. He lives to get to his training with his GAA club, O’Donovan Rossa’s Magherafelt, where he is a very promising and popular youth player. He loves soccer and supports Liverpool LFC. Tony plays for Moyola Park AFC where he dreams of playing like Mo Salah one day.

Tony’s family have a long standing connection with the An Chomhdháil Irish dancing community, with Tony and his two sisters who dance for Smith school of Irish dance. Tony enjoys learning the steps and enjoys the friendships he has made at his classes.

Tony’s parents, Mary (nee Mooney) and Darren Fitzpatrick have been a pillar of strength for Tony throughout his Cancer journey, where they have had to take sabbaticals from their work to care for Tony. They have worked hard to keep family life as normal as possible for Tony and his two sisters, as they navigate this Goliath fight with an aggressive Brain Tumor. They are trying to make every second of everyday count and to do everything to help Tony.

Now with a new school year starting, instead of the excitement of what is to come, Tony has faced more devastating news that despite intense treatment, the MRI scans are showing it hasn't worked.

We need desperately to find alternate treatments to help alleviate symptoms and slow down this awful disease. We will be holding various fundraisers to fund alternative treatments to give Tony a better quality and prolonged life expectancy.

Tony has the biggest heart and greatest laugh of anyone we know. He sets an example for all of us in how to live life to the fullest every day. Please help Tony fight his cancer and prolong his life by donating and sharing this GoFundMe Page. We thank you for anything that you can afford to donate and know that there is no amount too small in helping with this battle; we appreciate it all.

Money that is not used for Tony’s treatment will be donated to a brain cancer charity. This will help fund vital research into this illness in hope of finding a cure for this cruel illness.

If you wish to organise an event to help us raise money for Tony, please get in touch with us.

Thank you.