Supporting Alex Burkes fight against Cancer

Alex Burke is fighting a battle that no child should have to fight - the fight against Cancer.

 

At first Alex’s symptoms presented like a common baby bug or virus, he was not his usual cheerful or inquisitive self and he had gone off his bottle & food. As symptoms persisted beyond the duration of common virus & Alex lost weight, his parents Daniel & Michelle grew very concerned, and more tests were conducted. When an ultrasound in University Hospital Galway discovered a mass near his kidneys, Alex was rushed to Dublin for further specialised testing.

 

On the 14th April, Alex was only 18 months when the heart-breaking diagnosis of Neuroblastoma was confirmed, an aggressive and rare type of Cancer that mostly affects babies and young children. It is a sneaky type of cancer that spreads all over the body, the tumor wrapping around key parts of Alex’ body. Between 5 and 10 neuroblastoma cases are diagnosed in Ireland every year.

 

As Alex’s cancer was advanced when diagnosed, Chemotherapy started immediately under the professional & amazing care of Doctors & Nurses in Crumlin Children's Hospital. While Alex & his family have been taking the first steps in treatment with such bravery over the last 3 months, with Chemotherapy & hospital stays every 10 days – there is a long road ahead with 18 months of treatment including Surgery, High Dosage Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy & Immunotherapy to fight his Cancer.

 

We have started this Go Fund Me account to ease a little of the burden on the Burke family - parents Daniel and Michelle, big sister Kayla (5) and new baby brother Dylan. As Alex was undergoing treatment in Dublin last month, his new baby brother could not wait for him to return home to Galway before arriving in a hurry on June 18th. While Alex’s current treatment plan in Crumlin is covered by the HSE, given the full time care he and this young family need right now Michelle & Daniel are on leave from their careers.

 

The funds raised from this page will go towards covering everyday basic family needs in the 18 months of treatment ahead. This will enable Alex’s parents to concentrate on getting him well and fighting this unfair Cancer battle together - covering fuel, travel and accommodation in Dublin as treatment & testing continues, mortgage payments so Alex has a safe home and refuge between hospital visits, and family days together so Alex, Kayla & Dylan can still make fun memories through this adversary. Any surplus funds not required for Alex’s care will be donated back to the many charities currently providing great support to the Burke family.

 

Daniel, Michelle and the extended Burke & Kennedy families have been such good friends & neighbours to many in Leitrim, Kilnadeema & Loughrea area over the years – there will be a series of events & fundraising efforts in the coming months from many friends and extended communities who want to show support & solidarity for Alex and all the family. This page will be updated with events and challenges, we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and if possible, in giving (any amount will help).

 

 

We thank you for your support.

 

Daniel also aims to share updates throughout Alex’s treatment to bring more awareness to Children battling Cancer and highlight all the fantastic people helping them to navigate this terrible journey, Alex vs Cancer Page 

 

Past Events:

Four Peaks in 36 hours

On Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th of September a group of 12 friends completed the mamooth challenge of climbing the highest peaks in each province under 36 hours for Alex and his family.

These peaks are:

• Carrauntoohil. Co. Kerry – 1,036 M

• Mweelrea. Co. Mayo – 814 M

• Lugnaquilla. Co. Wicklow – 925 M

• Slieve Donard. Co. Down – 850 M

Core Climbing team:

Patrick Bane, Cian Bonnichon, Tadhg O’Connor, Cillian Murphy, Aedan Gallagher, Darren Dennehy, Dylan Lynskey, David Schmit, David Sciascia, Conor McDonnell, Dean Glendon & Luke Fogarty

Coffee Junction - 1st Birthday Giveback

In celebration of their 1st birthday on Wednesday the 28th of September, and in line with September being Children's Cancer Awareness month, the Coffee Junction Loughrea generously helped raise awareness and funds for Alex and Hand in Hand Charity.

Hand in Hand is a non-profit organisation which provides the families of children with cancer with much-needed practical support & have been a great help to Alex in the last few months. They support families nationwide who are affected by childhood cancer by giving them access to professional service providers. By availing of their services, families find they have more precious time to spend with their children rather than trying to keep on top of household chores.

Big thanks to Coffee Junction Loughrea & all local businesses that donated prizes for the giveaways - your generosity was greatly appreciated.

Pub Quiz & Silence Auction - Jack Hacketts, New Zealand

On 21st September, Alex's cousins & family friends in New Zealand hosted Pub Quiz in support of Alex.

Coffee Morning – The Glade, Athenry

On 23rd July, Danika Dolan (in conjunction with The Little Spoon Coffee Van) hosted a coffee morning all proceeds raised went to supporting Alex & family.

Easy Fix Coffee Morning - 22nd July

Galway Bay Swim – 13KM from Galway to Clare

On Saturday 16th July, close family friend Aonghus Fahy joined 140 swimming group on the 13KM challenge of crossing Galway Bay. Cancer Care West is the primary charity connected with the swim, but with Alex’s recent diagnose, Aonghus & teammates (Alice McDowell, James Mannion & Brian Fahy with skipper support from Cathal Clarke) dedicateded their swim to Alex. The swim will began in Aughinish in Co.Clare, crossing Galway Bay to finish at Black Rock Diving Tower in Salthill.