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Student battling cancer donates hair to wig-making charity before chemotherapy

Student battling cancer donates hair to wig-making charity before chemotherapy

Dublin Live29-05-2025
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A courageous 17-year-old student has donated 16 inches of her hair to a charity that creates wigs for children fighting cancer, despite undergoing chemotherapy herself.
Aine Sheerin discovered a lump on her neck while getting ready for New Year's Eve and was later diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, on March 20. As part of her six-month treatment plan, Aine will undergo multiple chemotherapy sessions, resulting in hair loss.
The LauraLynn Foundation arranged for Aine to receive a wig from the Little Princess Trust in the UK, which she will start wearing full-time once she shaves her head. In a remarkable act of kindness, Aine decided to donate her own hair to the charity before losing it, so it can be used to make wigs for others in similar situations.
Aine's hair was 24 inches long before she had 16 inches cut off, and she told the Irish Mirror: "My wig that I'm getting is 100 per cent human hair. I was devastated when I was first diagnosed because my biggest prized possession was my hair. I've always loved my hair.
"So I said 'no way, am I going to let it go to waste, I'll donate it back'. Because I know if somebody didn't donate the hair that is on my wig, I wouldn't have it. I would like to make another little girl happy the way mine made me happy."
Aine's initial symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma included fatigue, which she initially attributed to her Leaving Cert studies. After discovering a lump on December 30, Aine consulted her physio in January to see if it was related to her back problems.
However, the physio advised her that the two issues were unrelated and that she should consult her GP, ultimately leading to her diagnosis of Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Fortunately, doctors have assured her that this type of cancer is highly treatable, and she is expected to make a full recovery.
Despite this setback, Aine remains determined and plans to pursue a degree in Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University after completing her Leaving Cert. The teenager has adapted her study schedule to accommodate her chemotherapy sessions and will even undergo treatment during her exams.
She said: "I'm feeling 100 per cent right now. It's been tough when I've been sick; it's been very, very hard to study and look over my notes. It's very overwhelming, and you think, 'Why do I bother?' Will I even be able to do the Leaving?
"But now that I'm well, I've been studying non-stop because I have to get more chemo. Whenever I feel well, I try to study as much as possible."
A Kildare teen, who is soon to celebrate her 18th birthday, has heaped praise on her family for their incredible support throughout her health battle. With special mentions for her mum Sinead, dad Frank, boyfriend Theo Hanlon, and the staff at Kildare Town Community School, she explained how they've been with her every step of the way.
As a young woman involved in numerous initiatives like Meitheal, Green Schools and Foróige, as well as serving as Head Girl and chairperson of the student council, Aine is a true pillar of the community. She even gave an inspiring speech at her sixth-year graduation ceremony this month, and she's forthcoming about how these roles have aided her in coping with her diagnosis.
Opening up about her experience, Aine said: "Those types of roles helped me get through my darkest days." In a remarkable display of altruism, Aine hasn't stopped at just managing her own struggles; she's actively fundraising for the LauraLynn Foundation, having raised an impressive sum of more than €9,000 so far.
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Ireland's most common genetic disorder: ‘It can creep up quietly and cause serious damage if it's missed'

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