Over £9,000 has now been raised for a Derry woman who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour while living in Canada.
Twenty-six year old Éireann Sharkey has been living and working in Ontario for the past two years.
Her world was turned upside down recently when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and told that she requires immediate life-changing surgery.
Her family have set up a GoFundMe page with a target of £5,000.
But this morning the page has raised £9,220
Posting on Facebook, Éireann said: “It’s been a really difficult time. I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated and for my extended family for creating this.
“I’m trying to stay positive but it’s been such a shock and a very fast timeline. Please just say a wee prayer for me and hopefully my family will be on a flight over here as soon as possible.”
Eireann’s cousin Hope Cregan, who set up the page, wrote: “On the 25th October 2023, my younger cousin Éireann was diagnosed with every person’s worst fear, a brain tumour.”
Hope said: “She had started to get seizures and felt out of sorts this past while and after pushing for a scan yesterday, the devastating news was delivered.
“Unfortunately she is away from home and family, and she has to face this life changing surgery without their physical support or comfort at only 26 years of age.
“The surgeons do not know the impact of this brain tumour until they operate but have advised Éireann will have to learn to speak again and will have a long road to recovery.
“We urgently need your help to raise money to:
– Help pay for the cost of medical treatment
– Help pay for travel costs to get her mum and dad to Canada to be alongside her during her long post-surgery recovery.
“Without your help and without these funds it just isn’t possible. We would be so so incredibly grateful for any donations.
“Please help Éireann fight this!’
To help Eireann and her family, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eireanns-brain-surgery-treatment