Fundraising drive to help couple in cancer battle

A Tuam couple spent their first wedding anniversary in a cancer treatment centre in New York – where 38 year old teacher Regina Duffy is undergoing cutting edge treatment that she hopes will save her life.

Regina, who is suffering from a rare form of brain cancer, has endured an extremely difficult eight years. She has already undergone treatment for breast cancer, a brain tumour – and the loss of her mother three years ago.

Voluntary groups in Tuam have joined in the fundraising effort across the west to help Regina and her Tuam husband Jason Donoghue as she continues her cancer treatment in the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.

Regina’s cancer is rare and difficult to treat and she had no choice but to go abroad to seek treatment. She is accompanied by family members who are prepared for ‘the long haul’ but are hopeful of a positive outcome.

Regina works as a teacher in St Coleman’s College, Claremorris. and is originally from Westport but she married Tuam man Jason Donoghue, who is well known in local circles for his rugby exploits.

A major fundraising campaign was launched by her family in order to provide the treatment she is receiving in the States and that has accumulated almost €400,000 to date.

But given the uncertainty of the length of the treatment, further fundraising is required which is why several voluntary groups in Tuam have cranked into action.

One voluntary group in Tuam has organised a golf event which will take place in Tuam Golf Club on Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30, while another has organised a concert with Sean Keane and the Mayo Orchestra on Easter Sunday, April 21.

When Regina’s diagnosis of a rare form of brain cancer became known, an incredible amount of €370,000 was raised in just twelve days.

Her family were thrilled with the response and said that it exceeded their wildest dreams.

While in New York, they say that she will have an individual, tailored treatment plan for her cancer which her sister Adele said ‘is rare and difficult to treat and requires expertise and treatment that just aren’t available in Ireland’.

Her initial treatment will cost in the region of €250,000 but there are also further costs expected as the process progresses.

Time was of the essence and all stops were pulled out to raise the monies necessary for the treatment for the newly married couple who had been looking forward to a fresh start before this current diagnosis.

Husband Jason Donoghue said that his wife is a life-long fan of Sean Keane and thanked him for agreeing to do the concert in Claremorris. He added that her family are huge fans of Sean.

“I know some of Regina’s family and close friends will be in attendance. This concert will go a long way towards helping Regina cover her medical costs and we are all very grateful,” Jason added.