Wicklow friends start fundraiser to help mum diagnosed with aggressive cancer
In 2012, Alannah required further surgery to fuse the toes in her left foot, due to complications from drop foot, which prevented her from walking properly. This interrupted her nursing training and left her facing months of recovery.
That was followed up in 2017 with an operation to have her ankle fused due to radiation damage from the treatment years earlier.
Needing a fresh start, she and her husband Emmet moved to Australia, but in September last year she suffered another setback, again linked to past radiation.
After surgery and ten months of recovery, she was finally back on her feet, only to be told that the surgery had failed. She now faces a major operation as she need a full hip and proximal femur replacement.
Keen to support Alannah through this setback, her friends Aoife and Laura set up an online fundraiser through gofundme.com.
Explaining why, they said: 'This marks the third time in nine years that Alannah has had to stop working, reshaping her life entirely due to health setbacks. With no family support in Australia and another long recovery ahead, Alannah, Emmet, and their toddler Freddie have made the difficult decision to return home to Ireland. Emmet will become a full-time carer for Freddie and neither will be able to work for the foreseeable future.'
The fundraising target of €20,000 is aimed at helping ease the financial burden of travel and relocation costs, medical and rehab expenses, loss of income and to support Freddie during the difficult transition.
Aoife and Laura added: 'Alannah has always been the first to help others - as a nurse, a friend, and through her generous heart. Now, it's our turn to be there for her. Every donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for AJ, Emmet, and Freddie.'
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