Two of Athenry Football Club’s U14 players, Aoife and Emma, have recently been diagnosed with serious health conditions. The club wants to get behind these girls and their families as they each navigate a gruelling journey. To help support, AFC are fundraising in the community and inviting local businesses to contribute. Please donate what you can, every euro counts!! Let’s help these precious girls as they undergo treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. The parents of these girls have shared an insight into their lives since their recent diagnosis: Please keep reading below

Athenry Football Club, the Fundraising Team, Aoife, Emma and their families, thank you sincerely for your support. AFC hope to see these wonderful, brave girls back kicking football with their teammates soon!! 100% of all money raised will be divided equally between both families.
Fundraising Team contact details:
Chairperson – Anne Walshe, 085 7122077
Secretary – Suzanne Greaney, 086 0763428
Treasurer – Niamh Noone, 087 2026257

Aoife and Emma Fundraiser account details (Athenry Credit Union):
Account: 63966
BIC: ATRUIE21
IBAN: IE60ATRU99110011693527

iDonate page:
https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/AoifeEmma 

Permit details available

Aoife’s story (as told by her mum)

In July this year our world changed, our twelve-year old daughter Aoife was diagnosed with a brain tumor. What started as an emergency surgery to relieve pressure on her brain was followed just days later by major surgery to partially remove her tumor.

Thankfully the tumor was diagnosed as a low grade, but the damage it caused has left lasting effects. Before her surgery Aoife was a fun, energetic and outgoing girl – full of love and laughter. After her surgery she had to learn how to walk, talk and carry out even simple tasks. Her eyesight has also been affected, leaving her with double vision, which will require future treatment. Aoife unfortunately had further complications which resulted in two more surgeries. She now has an adjustable VP Shunt to help manage fluid build-up in her brain due to damage to the fourth ventricle.

Aoife spent months in Temple Street Hospital receiving expert care from her doctors, nurses and her rehab team. Despite her setbacks Aoife continues working hard on her rehabilitation with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language while waiting for a place in the national rehabilitation Hospital. She uses crutches to help her walk and relies on a wheelchair for longer distances – though, true to her determined nature she does so reluctantly.

This is a long road for Aoife. She’ll need ongoing treatment, specialist equipment, and regular MRIs for many years to monitor the remaining tumor and build a treatment plan, whatever that plan entails is unknown as we are very early in her diagnosis at this stage.

Your support means the world to us. Every bit of help from this fundraiser will go towards Aoife’s continued recovery – helping her get stronger, return to school with her friends, and keep moving forward on her road to independence.

 Emma’s story (as told by her mum)
Emma is a young 13-year-old whose life and her family’s life changed overnight. After complaining of being very lethargic before Christmas 2024, Emma had full blood tests and after further investigation in UHG, Emma was transferred to Temple Street Hospital late February, where further test and biopsy were carried out. Emma was diagnosed with a rare condition called Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which can affect multiple organ systems.

Emma’s constellation of findings included an Intracranial tumor in the Suprasellar region near her Pituitary gland. As a result of this Emma needs to take DDAVP, thyroid and steroid replacement. She also has evidence of disease in her skin. 

Emma’s management of this condition involves intravenous Chemotherapy administered every week in Crumlin Hospital with daily concurrent oral Prednisolone.

Before Emma’s diagnosis, she enjoyed playing sport especially soccer where she began playing U10 right up to U13 with Athenry FC, but due to her illness had to put this on hold.

Emma is a kind, caring daughter to her parents and siblings Ciara and Aoife.