Thanks to everyone who supported the recent Sheelagh Duggan Dooley fundraise. Below is a message of thanks from the Dooley & Diggan families

A thank you from the Dooley & Duggan families.

There are no words to describe our grief since suddenly losing Sheelagh, but your kindness and participation in the #ggsdd55, and just your support in general during the last 5 months, has had a huge impact on our family, and given us a much needed purpose during our heartbreak. You have all been amazing and Sheelagh would be so chuffed by it all. She’s up there now smiling from ear to ear. We just cannot thank you enough, and we know your generosity will have the same impact on the patients it will touch in the Dunmore Oncology Unit at WRH.

Our rollercoaster ride began the moment Sheelagh was diagnosed, following a planned routine surgery, but after months of sickness. Sheelagh’s cancer was an incredibly rare and agressive type of womb cancer, called Uterine Sarcoma, that affects 1 in 1,000,000 women, normally between the ages of 45-55. It is so rare that there is limited awareness, even amongst specialists, and despite Sheelagh having all the symptoms (Such as excessive bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating), it’s incredibly hard to diagnose until it’s too late.

You can find out more information here:

https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/patient/uterine-sarcoma-treatment-pdq

It was such devastating news to receive, and we will never know where Sheelagh got her strength from to face it. Others may not be blessed with the same level of strength, which is why we hope the money can be used for counselling services to help other patients of the dunmore wing through their difficult journey, and we will update you all once we work out the details with the hospital.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the support of Gortnahoe Glengoole GAA, in particular Ronan Stanley, Keith Corbett and Leonard Stanley who suggested this idea originally and Willie Coleman, who kept the social media channels updated #ggsdd5k.

Sheelagh loved walking and the club chose the perfect fundraiser to remember her. The club has always been like family!

Thank you to Sheelagh’s brother Tommy for running and managing the GoFundMe page (her favourite brother as she always said).

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all once again. You have created such happy memories at a time much needed, memories we will have forever. We will simply never forget your kindness.

Aidan, Robbie, Leanne, Katie, Tom, Marie and all the Duggan and Dooley family.