If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already know David Goggin — or at least the kind of man he is.

David is one of those rare people who quietly holds others together. A gentle giant, quick-witted and endlessly generous with his time, he has always been the glue in our group of friends. Dave has always been there for anyone who needed help, never asking for anything in return.

David lives in Perth, Australia, with his wife Melissa and their two wonderful boys, Rian and Rossa. He is a devoted husband and a deeply loving father, and his family means everything to him.

For the past 3–4 years, David who is just 39, has been battling severe kidney failure. Despite his health declining, he continued to work and tried to maintain some sense of normality for his family. It’s not in Dave's nature to ask for help or sympathy — even when things were incredibly hard.

In February 2023, David was placed on dialysis after specialists confirmed his kidneys were functioning at just 3%. He applied to be placed on an urgent transplant list, but his request was declined. With no other options available to them, David and Melissa made the heartbreaking decision to uproot their family and bring David home to his hometown in Ballincollig, Cork in 2024 to live with David’s parents, Mary and Seamus.

Mary and Seamus generously gave up part of their home so the family could stay together while waiting in hope that David would be approved for a transplant. His sister Laurie was also a huge help during their time here. For nearly two years, David’s health fluctuated as they waited and prayed. In late 2025, they were devastated to learn that David could not receive a transplant in Ireland due to serious heart complications caused by his failing kidneys.

Now in January 2026, the family has since returned once again to Perth — back to square one. Years of moving countries, uncertainty, medical setbacks, and financial strain have taken a heavy toll on all of them.

David tried, once more, to keep working and providing for his family. But his health has now deteriorated significantly, and he has been hospitalised at Royal Perth Hospital. Over the past week, his condition has worsened rapidly. His heart and lungs require urgent treatment, and he is experiencing extreme pain and severe breathing difficulties.

As of this morning, David is now also experiencing internal bleeding, blood clots and infections throughout his body which may result in him being placed in ICU.

David is now facing the toughest battle of his life.

The road ahead is long and uncertain. David will be unable to work for at least a year and will require ongoing hemodialysis, involving further surgeries and multiple hospital visits each week. Although they are supported in Australia by Melissa’s and David's family Sheena, Robert, Sean, Martin, Dennis, Jenny and and and their incredible friends, finances are taking a heavy strain. While Melissa continues to work, the reality is that one income simply isn’t enough to cover rent, medical costs, daily living expenses, and the needs of two young boys who are struggling to understand why their Dad can’t come home.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Right now, David needs the space and support to focus solely on surviving and recovering. Any donation — big or small — will help cover lost income, medical expenses, travel to and from hospital, and basic living costs during this incredibly difficult time.

David is a family man through and through. Our hope is to help him get back to a normal way of life with Melissa, Rian, and Rossa, and to give this family some stability after years of worry and uncertainty.

How your donations will help ease the financial burden -

Thank you for taking the time to read David’s story. Your kindness, support, and generosity mean more than words can express.

I will continue to update this page regularly with Dave's progress and any updates received.

*For the purposes of the GoFund me review, my name is Brian McEvoy. I am a close friend of David. David's wife - Melissa is the beneficiary of this fundraiser which will be withdrawn to herself and Davids bank account.