Finn's Journey

Finn lives with his Mammy and Daddy Melissa Donlon & Colin O'Reilly his 13 year old big brother Zack & 2 year old twin siblings CJ & Evie.

Finn is currently receiving excellent care & treatment at Crumlins Children Hospital Dublin & Cavan General Hospital.

Finn has Medulloblastoma with Leptomeningeal spread to his brain & spine. There is no prognosis for Finn at this time. Following a seizure at home he was diagnosed at Cavan Hospital before being transferred to Temple Street Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to insert a shunt to drain fluid from his brain to relieve the pressure. Finn later had surgery to remove his tumour, his surgeon managed to remove most of it.

Finn developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome and temporarily lost his speech. He can not walk at the moment and requires 24 hour care. He is also being fed by a NG tube in his nose.

Finn's cancer spread and his doctors recommended that he has 6 high doses of Chemotherapy, a stem cell harvest and rescue followed by Proton therapy to his brain and spine. Finn has had his 5th dose of Chemotherapy and is soon to have his 6th dose together with stem cell rescue in the coming weeks.

Finn will have Proton Therapy to his brain and spine as this causes less damage to his developing brain than conventional radiotherapy would. Unfortunately this treatment is not available in Ireland at the moment. Finn will have to travel to either Manchester or Germany and stay for 6/8 weeks to avail of this treatment.

The HSE will pay for the treatment however Finn's family will have to cover the cost of any other medical treatment unless it was requested in the original application by the Irish based consultant and approved by the HSE.

HSE will cover the cost of one parent and Finn to travel. Finn's family will have to cover the cost of the rest of the families travel expenses including accommodation and living expenses for the time they are away.

Finn's Mammy and Daddy have had to stop working to look after him as he requires 24 hour care as well as taking care of Finns' brothers and sister.

If you are in a position to donate we would really appreciate it and please share far and wide with family and friends.

Love from the O'Reilly, Donlon and McKenna families xx

I have been contacted tonight by John Glynn, Director of The Gavin Glynn Foundation.

He has informed me they help families in circumstances like ours.

They will be covering the cost of Finns family's travel, accommodation and living expenses abroad.

We are overwhelmed by the generous response we have recieved so far and we can't thank everyone enough.

We appreciate each and every donation and everyone who has shared our page.

I have lowered our target on foot of this offer for which we are very grateful.

The target we have now put up should cover the cost of any medical bills we may have for Finn that may not be covered by the HSE and help Finns family prepare for the journey. Any funds not used will be shared among other charities who help families in these circumstances.

Once again I thank everyone for their kindness.

Love from the O'Reilly, Donlon and McKenna families xx.