The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
FIRIES RALLIES AROUND RÓISÍN IN CANCER FIGHT
COMMUNITY ROW IN BEHIND LOCAL FAMILY TO HELP PAY FOR TREATMENT COSTS IN GERMANY
ELEVEN-year old Róisín Collins will spend six weeks in Germany where she will receive life-saving radiotherapy treatment not currently available in Ireland.
The Firies girl has been battling cancer since a shock diagnosis last December and just days after Christmas had a tumour removed from her spine. A routine MRI scan detected the cancer.
“We noticed she was falling behind her peers. She was getting stiffer and slower. We were told growing pains at first,” explained her Dad, Tim.
“Cancer was the last thing we were thinking.”
They decided to get an MRI but were never expecting that anything serious would show up.
However, their life was turned upside down by the news that Róisín had cancer and required surgery and radiotherapy.
Róisín travelled to Germany this week for an assessment but it is hoped that she will begin radiotherapy in early May which will require her to live in Germany for six weeks or more.
Her Dad will accompany her while her Mom, Anne, and sisters and brother will support her from home.
It has been a difficult year for the young Kerry girl but she is bravely fighting back.
THE radiotherapy in Germany is vital for Róisín to ensure that she becomes cancer-free.
It has been a difficult year for the Firies girl with the serious operation and treatments in all three Dublin hospitals. Despite the difficult battle the Collins family is facing, they are remaining positive about the future.
The community in Firies has now rallied around the Collins family and brave Róisín as she faces the next stage of her treatment, and are hosting a fundraising walk this weekend to help the family pay for the costs of travelling and living in Germany while Roisin undergoes radiotherapy.
“Róisín and I will live there for the six weeks. She will have to get treatment from Monday to Friday every day, with weekends off,” explained Tim.
Tim, who works for Liebherr Cranes in Killarney, will be off work for the duration.
He says they are very grateful to the local community for their support.
“It is a lovely thing to do. We are very grateful.”
The fundraising walk is organised by Firies Ladies GAA club. Róisín is a member of the club and plays under-12.
Organisers are calling on the community to support ‘A Walk for Róisín’.
Starting at the GAA pitch in Farranfore at 12 noon on Saturday, the walk will be along the old road/bog road route in Farranfore (approximately 5k) and back to the GAA pitch for light refreshments.
The club is asking for donations of €10 per adult and €5 per child to take part in the walk, and anyone who wishes to do so can make a donation to the Firies Ladies Committee to help Róisín.
IT IS A LOVELY THING TO DO; WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. THE FUNDS WILL HELP WITH THE COSTS OF GERMANY