For anyone who knows me, you know I’m not one to ask for help. Today, I’m asking on behalf of my family to help my brother, Ronan who has recently been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma.

Our brother, Ronan was born in 1980 in Omagh, Co Tyrone and moved to Tournai in Belgium in 2007 to take up and job in an Irish bar. His love and passion for people, playing multiple musical instruments to the crowds along with working in the bar brought him so much joy.

Ronan turned 45 on 26/11/2025 and on this day his life took an unexpected turn. Anyone who knows Ronan knows he is the life and soul of any party. He’s an amazing musician with a great voice and love for all genres of music. He would do anything for anyone without a question and would give you the last bite out of his mouth.

For a couple of weeks before his birthday, Ronan was starting to have some issues with his speech and memory. He would stop mid-sentence and forget what he was talking about and even forget the names of our family members and friends. A few days before his birthday, Ronan’s Fiancé Frederique became more concerned when he started to become withdrawn, having difficulty with his coordination and was displaying some personality changes. After attending the local doctor’s office, it was recommended that Ronan should attend A&E at his local hospital in Tournai, Belgium.

Following a CT brain and MRI, it was discovered Ronan had a tumour in his left frontotemporal region of his brain with extensive swelling causing flattening of his ventricles and a 16mm R midline shift. He was admitted immediately and commenced on anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling and prepare him for surgery the following week.

Ronan underwent neurosurgery on the 4th December which was (a 10 hour process) to remove a tumour which measured 44x37x34mm. With immense gratitude to the surgical team and all of the staff at the Notre-Dame hospital, Ronan made it through his surgery and sailed out of ICU within 24 hours. He was making great progress in the early days following his procedure and was discharged home within the week.

Then comes the most difficult wait as Ronan’s next hurdle came on the 16th Dec when he was back to meet his neurologist for the results of his biopsies. Now during this time everything goes through your head…is it benign? Is it malignant? Could it be metastases from somewhere else? Your mind goes wondering as you think, sure he wasn’t sick, just a bit ‘through other’. This was the moment that changed all our lives as we received the news that Ronan was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma! How had we low balled the worst case scenario so much!

Instead of flying home for a family Christmas as he did every year traditionally, the next couple of weeks brought weekly scans and appointments for Ronan. Meeting oncologists, radiotherapy teams, having fittings for protective headgear had meant Ronan’s Christmas and New Year were a lot different last year. The next blow was delivered by his oncologist (on the 30th of December) who informed Ronan that, although neurosurgeons removed a large tumour, due to the nature of his condition the roots remained but they would try and target these with some radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Ronan is due to start radiotherapy on the 7th on January Mon- Fri for 6 weeks. In addition he is starting oral chemo to take alongside this. He is due then to have a 4 week treatment break for further scans to monitor the response to this harsh and intense treatment regime.

As a family, we are shocked, numb and devastated for our Ronan. He is the brightest star in the sky, the funniest person in our house and a brother who sees the positive in all aspects of life, even in these dark days he is keeping his spirits up. Just the other day, he asked our mum if she knew what he loved most about the snow…. His response was that he can go out and play in it!

Ronan is receiving the best care and we know he is in the best place to have had this devastating diagnoses despite our burning desire to have him home and wrap him in cotton wool. Ronan has health insurance which is necessary in Belgium, but it can only cover a certain amount of his treatment and medication. At this stage, the amount of treatment required and cost of same is unknown. Ronan is unable to work and is having to travel every day for his treatment although unable to drive. This means his Fiancé Fred is having to reduce her working hours resulting in a further financial deficit for them. We are asking kindly to help our family raise funds to help with his medical bills, travel costs and other bills that may arise during this difficult time. We hope you can find it in your heart to help in any small way you can and we thank you so much for all your support and for being a part of this journey.

Much love,

The Gallagher Family