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

Firstly I want to say on behalf of Mary Moo and Darren Fitzpatrick

THANK YOU … to each and every person who has donated, helped in any way and supported in raising money for Treatment for Tony Go fund me. The response has been humbling and has shown us the power that love and kindness of our friends and family and wider communities can bring to a family in need… our family.

We are currently in a very fortunate position where we have surpassed our financial target and feel that we have raised enough to be able to help Tony (God willingly) to fight his glioblastoma brain tumor.

So as a family we are aware that there are quite a number of events that were initially set up , to help us meet our original target and that are still due to happen to support Tony’s Treatment.

So what I am writing to ask is if you are fund raising an event for Tony, please we would kindly ask if you can directly donate it to:

Cancer Fund for Children

Brainwaves NI

Both these charities continue to play a big supporting role in helping Tony and our family through our current situation and we would like other families to feel this love we have experienced sooner rather than later, as it has helped us to get through difficult times.

These charities are invaluable in a time of crisis and it is only when it knocks on your door that we can appreciate what these charities do.

The love that has been bestowed on us over the last few weeks from the community is a miracle that is continuing to carry us in our journey and we kindly ask you to share that love by donating to these charities directly.

Thank you from our home to yours xx

Please continue to pray for our wee warrior Tony in his Goliath battle and for Mary Darren Maggie and Katie as this is so important in our cancer healing journey

Fiona DonaghyMid Ulster School of MusicMoyola Park AFC YouthO'Donovan Rossa GAC Magherafelt

”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.