My name is Níamh Byrne, I am a primary school teacher and I am setting up this GoFundMe for my older sister Eímear.

About Eímear

Eímear Byrne is 30 years old from Arklow, Co. Wicklow. She is in her dream job as a primary school teacher, a job that fills her heart every single day. She loves watching children learn, grow and find the confidence to believe in themselves, this is one of her life’s greatest joys. She loves to see their confidence build and their personalities shine.

A Lifetime of Fighting

Eímear has a rare connective tissue disorder. Her journey with this condition began early in life, when she was just ten years old, she underwent open-heart surgery. A very traumatic experience for Eímear and one that shaped how she viewed life from then on. Eímear learned that her health would always be something she would have to fight for and how fragile life can be.

The Day Everything Stopped

Three years ago, that fight became very real when an aneurysm suddenly ruptured. Eímear underwent her second emergency open heart surgery, a surgery that saved her life but not without cost. It was a terrifying and life-threatening experience that changed everything. During the surgery Eímear had complications and suffered a severe stroke. Life as she knew it changed completely. She had to re-learn the day-to-day life tasks that she had previously taken for granted. The road back from this was unimaginably hard. Eímear had to re-learn how to walk, talk and simply how to live again. Through sheer determination and the love and support of those around her she made the impossible possible. Eímear got back to doing what she loved most, teaching children, enjoying life and feeling hopeful for the future.

Now I Need Your Help

Recently, Eímear received devastating news. Doctors discovered three more aneurysms. She now needs a third open-heart surgery, and this one is even more complex and urgent. Time is critical.

Considering the complexity of Eímear’s condition and the risks involved, this surgery needs to be carried out urgently in a specialised hospital in the United States of America which has the necessary medical experience and facilities for treating patients like Eímear. Surgery in this hospital will reduce the rate of mortality during the surgery and it will also reduce the potentially life-altering complications, such as a second stroke. The operation and rehabilitation in America will give Eímear the best chance of survival so she can live a long, happy and fulfilling life.

All of this comes at a monetary cost far beyond what we can manage alone. Asking for help does not come easily to Eímear as she has always tried to handle life’s challenges quietly and independently. As a family this leaves us in the difficult position of asking for community support.

What Your Support Means

If you can donate, no amount is too small. Every euro and every share will bring her one step closer to surviving, to going back to the classroom, spending time with her loved ones and having a future.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read Eímears’ story, for your kindness and for helping her with this fight for her life.

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

Níamh Byrne.

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine

Under the shelter of each other people survive