The Richard Fitzgerald Fund
Donation protected
Dear friends, please take a minute to read our story. On 20/11/17 Richard’s parents Paula & Wesley Fitzgerald and his older brother Cailum were informed by his medical team that Richard has a high-grade (aggressive) glioma (a form of DIPG), which is an inoperable brain stem tumour.
Sadly medical advances have done nothing for children with DIPG over the past 40 years. Brain tumors remain the most common cause of cancer-related death in children, and DIPG is the leading cause of death from pediatric brain tumors. A child diagnosed with DIPG today faces the same prognosis as a child diagnosed 40 years ago. There is still no effective treatment and no chance of survival. Only 10% of children with DIPG survive for 2 years following their diagnosis, and less than 1% survives for 5 years. The median survival time is 9 months from diagnosis.
Richard, his mum Paula and brother Cailum have lived happily in Galway for the past three years. Richard is a happy, kind, sensitive 12 year old who loves nothing more than hanging out with his big brother Cailum watching superhero and star wars movies and attending cubs with his friends. Richard loves his school, particularly his drama class.
Palliative care treatment will commence on 28/11/17 when Richard will start an intensive round of radiation and chemotherapy will also be introduced during this time. There is no further treatment available for our superhero Richard.
Richard’s family from Dublin, Galway, Dungarvan and Pittsburg have come together to experience treasured adventures with their superhero. This fund will give Richard the opportunity to fulfill some of his wishes and to create priceless memories for the family.
It is with sincere appreciation that we accept any donation you can make. Any surplus of donations to the Richard Fitzgerald Fund, will be used to raise awareness of this pediatric high grade brain tumour and help fund much needed research.
Sadly medical advances have done nothing for children with DIPG over the past 40 years. Brain tumors remain the most common cause of cancer-related death in children, and DIPG is the leading cause of death from pediatric brain tumors. A child diagnosed with DIPG today faces the same prognosis as a child diagnosed 40 years ago. There is still no effective treatment and no chance of survival. Only 10% of children with DIPG survive for 2 years following their diagnosis, and less than 1% survives for 5 years. The median survival time is 9 months from diagnosis.
Richard, his mum Paula and brother Cailum have lived happily in Galway for the past three years. Richard is a happy, kind, sensitive 12 year old who loves nothing more than hanging out with his big brother Cailum watching superhero and star wars movies and attending cubs with his friends. Richard loves his school, particularly his drama class.
Palliative care treatment will commence on 28/11/17 when Richard will start an intensive round of radiation and chemotherapy will also be introduced during this time. There is no further treatment available for our superhero Richard.
Richard’s family from Dublin, Galway, Dungarvan and Pittsburg have come together to experience treasured adventures with their superhero. This fund will give Richard the opportunity to fulfill some of his wishes and to create priceless memories for the family.
It is with sincere appreciation that we accept any donation you can make. Any surplus of donations to the Richard Fitzgerald Fund, will be used to raise awareness of this pediatric high grade brain tumour and help fund much needed research.
Organizer
Paula Byrne
Organizer
