Family ‘blown away' after nearly €40k raised for Cork teen battling leukaemia
"While she is bravely fighting this illness with strength and grace, the emotional and financial toll it places on her and her family is immense.
A fundraiser set up for a Cork teenager battling leukaemia has raised more than €37,000 since it was established in recent days.
Dawn Kearney, 19, from Ballinhassig in County Cork was recently diagnosed with leukaemia and a fundraiser has been launched by her local GAA club to help the family pay for treatment.
The original target of €6,000 was achieved within hours following over 900 donations.
Donations are continuing to pour in, with the current figure standing at €37,156 at the time of writing.
Ms Kearney has been described as a bright, kind and resilient soul who is fighting the illness with strength and grace.
Organisers of the fundraiser have emphasised that any donation, no matter how small will help the Kearney family and the money raised will be used to cover hospital stays, specialised treatment and other day-to-day expenses.
Dawn Kearney (Image: GoFundMe)
News in 90 Seconds - June 11th
The GoFundMe page reads: "We're reaching out on behalf of a courageous young woman named Dawn. At just 19 years old, Dawn has been diagnosed with leukaemia — a life-altering challenge no one should face, especially so early in life.
"Dawn is a bright, kind, and resilient soul with a whole future ahead of her. While she is bravely fighting this illness with strength and grace, the emotional and financial toll it places on her and her family is immense.
"Treatment for leukaemia is long, intense, and often unpredictable. Hospital stays, medications, doctor visits, and the need for specialised care are only part of the burden.
"This fundraiser is a way for us all to come together - to show Dawn and her family that they are not alone. Every donation, no matter the size, will help ease the financial pressure they are facing and allow them to focus on what matters most: Dawn's healing and recovery."
The Kearney family said they have been 'completely' blown away by the level of generosity and support since the fundraiser was established. 'We are so grateful of the support that has been shown to Dawn in the last 24 hours. We are completely blown away by the level of generosity and support. We cannot put into words our gratitude to everyone and what this means to Dawn and all the family. From the bottom of our hearts thank you so much to every single person.'
A spokesperson for Ballinhassig GAA said: 'Ballinhassig GAA, LGFA and camogie clubs are reaching out about a brave young woman called Dawn Kearney, a friend to many of our current junior squad. Dawn is facing a tough battle with leukaemia at just 19-years-old.
'Your support, no matter how small, can really make a difference in easing the financial burden on her family and allowing them to focus on her healing. It would mean so much to Dawn and everyone who cares about her.'
Dawn's brother Shane played underage football with Castlehaven up to junior level, while her father Diarmuid was a selector with the Castlehaven senior football team.
Posting on social media, Castlehaven GAA said: 'Dawn is a member of the Kearney family who are great supporters of the club. Her father Diarmuid was a selector with the Castlehaven senior team and her brother Shane played underage up to junior with Castlehaven. He also played with most of the present senior panel. The club is asking members and supporters to please make a donation to help Dawn in her recovery.'
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