Death of Maja (5) linked to sepsis as friends raise €8,300 for family
IT IS feared that a five-year-old girl who died just days after starting school had contracted a blood infection, or sepsis.
A medical inquiry remains ongoing into the precise cause of death of little Maja Glowacka.
Her death has sparked a massive outpouring of support in Cork and beyond for her heartbroken family. While the Health Service Executive (HSE) issued an advisory notice about a possible case of meningitis, it is now feared that the little girl may instead have died from sepsis.
She had been looking forward to starting junior infants in her local school in Carrigtwohill, in east Cork.
Family friend Agnieska Lowas had set up a GoGetFunding fundraising page with the aim of making €2,000 to help the Polish family with funeral costs and with their foreign travel expenses.
Incredibly, within 14 hours it had exceeded its goal by 400pc and had raised some €8,300.
Collection points have now been set up around east Cork by local community groups to help the family.
“Maja was a beautiful, cheerful little girl, loving her family and her big brother Mikolaj deeply,” Agnieska posted.
“As friends of the family and part of the Carrigtwohill community, we would love to support them as much as we can.
“The extended family is living in Poland and we are looking to help raise funds for all the funeral expenses that will take place abroad, their healthcare and living expenses while being out of work.
“It is an urgent call and we are looking to raise the funds within one week. Every contribution counts and is much appreciated,” she wrote.
Maja had just started in junior infants at Scoil Mhuire Naofa, in Carrigtwohill, where her brother is also a pupil.
The little girl became ill and was rushed to hospital but sadly died before her condition could be stabilised.
Maja’s father, Kizysztof, had previously been diagnosed with cancer, but he has successfully battled the illness.
Friends are now supporting Maja’s mother, Iwona, who is trying to console her older brother, who is a second-class student at Schoil Mhuire Naofa. Special tributes to little Maja have been collected at Scoil Mhuire Naofa over recent days and counselling supports are being made available for everyone.
Principal Anne Marie Moylan wrote to all the parents, asking them to keep Maja and her family in their thoughts and prayers.