A GoFundMe page set up to help support a mum and baby battling cancer together has raised over £15,000.
Caitriona Hanratty, from Crossmaglen, was just 34-years-old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 2 last year, just days before her baby Sonny’s first birthday.
And less than four months after Caitriona’s shock diagnosis, the family was hit with even more unimaginable grief when they got the devastating news on February 29 this year that Sonny had Leukaemia.
Caitriona is half-way through her treatment and is continuing to remain positive while Sonny, at just 16 months old, has begun his intensive chemotherapy treatment at The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Thankfully, Sonny is responding well to the treatment.
The fundraiser has been set up by Donna and Laura, the sisters of Caitriona’s husband James with the aim of supporting the family through their “unimaginable battle” against cancer.
On the GoFundMe page they wrote: “Their lives were turned upside down but like the very positive couple they are, they took everything in their stride. Caitriona being Caitriona took every bit of bad news on the chin, with a smile on her face and inspirational positivity throughout each step of this heartbreaking journey.
“Up until now, Sonny’s infectious personality and big smile had been carrying James and Caitriona through every step of this journey but unknown to us all, Sonny was also about to begin his own battle against this horrible disease.”
They continued: “This came as a complete shock to us all, Sonny was his happy, bubbly self that day but after an unexpected trip to A&E with a rash, a few hours later, James and Caitriona were sat down and told this unimaginable news.
“Words cannot express the pain and disbelief this has caused our entire family.
“Anyone that knows James and Caitriona will know this is completely out of their comfort zone. They are very independent, private people but unfortunately their lives at the moment are on hold. They are spending every day at Sonny’s side whether that’s in hospital or caring for him at home.
“We, as a family, want to make this time as stress free as possible so that they can concentrate and focus on Caitriona’s road to recovery and both be by Sonny’s side throughout this heart wrenching journey.”
You can help support Caitriona & Sonny’s battle by visiting the GoFundMe link here.
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