The family of a seriously ill baby will host a fundraising night this Friday 9th June in the Lisdoo, Dundalk to raise money to fund medical care that they hope will save their little girl’s life.
Tiny May Rose Gibney is just 12 weeks old and since birth has battled the rare brain condition Encephalocele. Her mum Analee and extended family members are spearheading an ambitious fundraising campaign that might enable May Rose to avail of any consultancy appointments or treatment in the field of expertise associated with the rare and potential fatal condition.
Annalee (24) is originally from Newtownhamilton and now lives in the village of Moy. She says when her daughter was born on 9th March, she was given just a limited chance of survival – months at best – however, little May Rose has battled against all the odds and consistently defied doctors’ opinions.
Now her family are frantically trying to raise enough money that May Rose can avail of expert care that will offer her the best hope for the future.
Analee says she is living her life “hour-by-hour, day by day”.
“The doctors have been unable to do anything because of May Rose’s condition. We have been going up and down to Belfast every week for scans, seeking to reverse the opinions we have already been given,” she explained. “She’s not strong enough for surgery at the minute; we’ve been told to wait a few months but I can’t wait that long for you never know what tomorrow brings,” she added fearfully.
Pledging to continue her efforts to raise awareness of Encephalocele, Annalee added: “I can’t thank the staff in the Belfast Health and Social Trust enough for what they have done for us. They really are a God-send from above and I will always be thankful for the service they have offered. But I am adamant that more can be done, and I will continue to fight for my daughter. The funds that have been raised so far will go towards getting second opinions on neurosurgery, and third opinions, if that’s what it’s going to take. I can’t imagine my life without my daughter, I really am blessed to be her mother.”
This Friday the Lisdoo Arms in Dundalk will host ‘It’s Elvis’, a top class entertaining show by award-winning Elvis tribute artist, Liam Murphy.
Doors open at 9pm and ticket price/admission is £8/€10.
An online Go Fund Me page has also been set up to aid the fundraising campaign and is now more than halfway towards its £10,000 goal. Donations can be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/encephalocele-on-the-brain.