VOLUNTEERS PILE IN TO FINISH BUILDING THEIR DREAM HOUSE FOR CANCER-HIT HELENA AND HER FAMILY[
VOLUNTEERS PULLING OUT THE STOPS TO ENSURE CANCER SUFFERER AND FAMILY CAN MOVE INTO THEIR DREAM HOME
THE heart-warming story of how a community has rallied together to support one of their own in their personal battle against cancer has touched the hearts of people in Doneraile and across the wider North Cork region.
Back in 2016, Helena Ryan was given the devastating news that she had stage one cervical cancer, after giving birth to her and her husband Declan’s second child. Speaking to Patricia Messinger on the C103 Cork Today show, Helena’s friend, Norma O’Brien, explained that the cancer developed onto stage two, but after treatment Helena went into remission and was able to return to work as a carer.
However, last December Helena noticed a lump on her neck and, in the words of Norma, “alarm bells rang again.”
After visiting her GP Helena was referred to a consultant at the CUH and, following a biopsy, was given the devastating news that the cancer had returned, was in her lymph nodes, neck, stomach, chest and neck, and had progressed to stage four.
Norma said that despite the diagnosis, Helena was determined to continue working, even after starting an intensive chemotherapy regime in January. “She is unbelievable. Her line was that she was going to fight this for her husband and her two young children, and that is it,” said Norma.
However, the side affects of the chemotherapy took their toll, leaving her exhausted and with mobility problems that means she has to use crutches.
Norma said that Helena spent three weeks in hospital last month going through different tests to see what the doctors could do for her. At the moment they have postponed the chemotherapy and although she has had an epidural, which has eased her condition, it can change from day to day.
Throughout this Helena, Declan and their two young children have been living in a mobile home while building their dream home after getting married.
Since Declan has had no option but to take time off from work their income had been severely impacted, putting the house project in jeopardy.
“As a community we felt that something had to be done, so we set up a Go Fund Me account to help fund work on the house,” said Norma.
Since last Friday, the page has well exceeded its €10,000 target and at time of going to press had topped the €15,000 mark.
“People have been just amazing,” said Norma.
She went on to say how local businesses had also come on board, with Doneraile – based OK Woodcraft donating a kitchen for the house, which it is hoped will now be finished and ready to move into within a month.
“Other people have contacted us saying things like ‘I’m not a carpenter but I can do other things for you’ and local women have been feeding the volunteer workmen who are giving up their time to finish the house off,” said Norma.
When she heard how many local workmen were volunteering to get involved in the build Patricia likened it to a mini version of the ‘ DIY SOS’ television programme.
Norma agreed with Patricia when she said that when it was one of your own “you do this type of thing”, pointing out that if someone else was going through the same situation Helena would be “out there doing it for them.”
“Absolutely. She has been a carer all her life and this is about the community giving something back. Helena is brilliant because she is so positive about everything and so focussed,” said Norma.
“Everyone has been so brilliant helping out and this has really brought the community together.”
Norma said that with no shortage of tradesmen volunteering to help out, they were hoping that people would now come on board to donate the plumbing and electrical equipment needed to complete the house.
“We want to get the family in the house as quickly as possible and get it furnished to make it more accessible for the family and Helena, and more comfortable for her when she restarts her chemotherapy,” she said.
“People have been just fantastic. Helena and Declan want to pass on the message that they have been completely overwhelmed by the support they have got from the local community,” said Norma.
Donations can be made through www.gofundme.com/ friends-of-helena, with all excess funds remaining after the build is completed going to the CUH Oncology department.