AN Irish mum has opened up about being diagnosed with cancer just months after her teenage daughter, saying: “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the Irish Cancer Society.”
Margaret Walsh, 48, told how her daughter Sinéad was diagnosed with leukemia at 13 years old.
The mum-of-four admitted she sensed something was wrong.
Margaret said: “As a mother, I knew in my heart of hearts – even before the doctors confirmed it – that Sinéad had leukemia.
“Telling our family, Sinéad’s three siblings, and her grandparents was just heartbreaking.”
Then just eight months after her daughters shock diagnosis, she found out she had cancer.
She recalled: “Then soon after Sinéad started treatment, we found out that I had breast cancer.
“I just remember thinking I don’t have time for cancer, I have a child to get better.”
Sinéad got a Hickman Line surgery to help administer medication.
The teen was then placed in ICU in Crumlin after she got diabetes and was diagnosed with sepsis.
Margaret said her neighbours looked after Sinéad’s siblings all summer as herself and her husband Brendan stayed by her side.
Then Sinéad had another set back and developed a spine infection.
Sinéad underwent immunotherapy in July and returned to school.
She hopes to be a normal teen and sit her mock Junior Cert exams.
Margaret will have a double mastectomy next week.
She told how the Irish Cancer Society have been a lifeline to the pair.
Margaret said: “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the Irish Cancer Society.
“Daffodil Day means that families like mine have invaluable help in carrying the weight of a cancer diagnosis, and in our case two cancer diagnoses.
“The free supports we’ve received have been a lifeline – free counselling, a grant to help with the costs of Sinéad’s diagnosis, and an incredible Irish Cancer Society family camp, which allowed us to park cancer for a weekend and concentrate on being together as a family.
“None of these incredible, vital supports would exist without the public’s generosity on Daffodil Day and I really can’t fathom how different our cancer experience would have been without them.
“So please, go all in against cancer this Daffodil Day to give hope to every family facing this disease in Ireland.”
Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society warned that every three minutes someone in Ireland hears the words ‘you’ve got cancer.’
She said: “There isn’t a family that hasn’t felt the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis. But no matter what cancer brings, the Irish Cancer Society is here to help.
“All of our essential services, like free counselling, Night Nursing, and patient travel are fuelled by fundraising. We simply can’t provide them without the public’s generosity.
“The more we raise on Daffodil Day, the more we can do. The more help we can give to children and adults going through cancer.
“The more lifesaving research we can fund. And the sooner we can ensure all cancer survivors have the support they need to live life to the full. We’re all in because you are.
“Join us this Daffodil Day and help us do more.”
Daffodil Day takes place on Friday March 22.
Whether you want to get involved with your school, company, or in your community, there are lots of ways to go all in and support cancer patients across Ireland.
Visit cancer.ie to get involved or learn more.
