Tomás's Journey with Aplastic Anaemia

On March 6th 2025, Róisín Fahy will be holding a table quiz in The Scholar’s Club, University Limerick. On March 30th, Meadbh Fahy will be running the Dublin half marathon. On May 4th, Conor Fahy will be running the Limerick half marathon. These events are fundraisers in aid of our brother and cousin Tomás, who is battling Aplastic Anaemia.

What is Aplastic Anaemia?

Aplastic anemia is a severe and life threatening hematologic (blood) condition caused by the bone marrow not functioning properly, failing to produce enough of all three types of blood cells – red, white and platelets. This kind of bone marrow failure is extremely rare.

Why are we fundraising?

Last year Tomás, our amazing 7 year old brother, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia. This March he will undergo a bone marrow transplant in the UK with the help of our sister Róisín, whose bone marrow luckily matches his, and will be his Donor. Our gratitude to Róisín is immeasurable. This transplant is Tomás’s best chance at returning to the regular life of a child his age.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the continuous tremendous work and dedication by members of staff at Temple Street Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Saint James’s University Hospital, Leeds, who have made this process over these past few months as smooth as they possibly could.

After numerous hospital visits since last Autumn, Tomás and our parents Úna and Padraig, will be spending a further minimum stay of three months full time in the UK while Tomás undergoes the necessary treatment. While medical treatment is covered by the HSE, there are many other costs involved, including loss of earnings, travel and the costs of accommodation while caring for Tomás.

Monies raised will greatly assist our family as we go through the journey of this difficult period in Tomás’s life in getting him back to full recovery. A portion of 25% of funds raised will also be donated to the Aplastic Anaemia Trust, UK. At present there is no Irish Trust in existence for Aplastic Anaemia due to its rarity.

The Aplastic Anaemia Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people affected by aplastic anaemia and funding research into this rare form of bone marrow failure.

By donating to Aplastic Anaemia Trust UK, you'll be....

Funding Research

This year The AAT will be investigating new treatment options that could offer hope to more people, and improve quality of life for patients and their families.

Providing support

Provide young children who are affected by this condition with a story book that explains what aplastic anaemia is and what they can expect from a long stay in hospital - making the long and difficult treatment less frightening.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read Tomás’s story and for considering supporting our family during this challenging time. Your generosity, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference in Tomás’s recovery and help ease the financial burden.

Together, we can give Tomás the best chance of a healthy, happy future as well as contributing to vital research for Aplastic Anaemia through the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

Míle Buíochas for your kindness, support, good wishes and prayers.