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€180,000 needed to help Killarney man fight rare cancer

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[caption id="attachment_24232" align="aligncenter" width="1772"] Time is of the essence to raise €180,000 for specialist cancer treatment abroad for Killarney man Ross Hurley, who is pictured with his wife Nina.[/caption]

 

BY MICHELLE CREAN

 

A Killarney man battling a very rare form of pancreatic cancer faces an uncertain future without specialist life-saving treatment - at a staggering cost of €180,000.

To give 38 year-old Ross Hurley, who is originally from St Brendan’s Terrace, Killarney, any chance of survival, he has to undergo a radical new treatment in Bangkok as soon as possible.

Ross and his wife Nina, who now both live in Callinafercy, need to urgently raise €32,000 to cover his first round of treatment and accommodation abroad.

“Time is of the essence and we need these funds so as to move forward and give Ross a greater chance at life,” his wife Nina told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

Ross had been sick and feeling off for months but multiple trips to the doctor, hospital and scans revealed nothing.

However, when jaundice set in an endoscopy finally revealed a large tumour, and on October 19 last, Ross was finally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Major surgery followed in Cork University Hospital to remove his gallbladder, duodenum, quarter of his stomach and the head of the pancreas - but because it’s such a rare form Ross will need ongoing preventative treatment.

The couple said that they were devastated to learn that the one-year relative survival rate, according to the American Cancer Society, is 20 percent, and the five-year rate is seven percent, which that means that only seven out of 100 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years.

“It’s been a long tough year,” Ross said this week.

“It’s the most silent of all the cancers. I was very lucky I got jaundice which helped get the diagnosis.”

The first round of the CAR-T-Cell therapyin Bangkok, Ross explained, includes an essential two weeks rest over there so he is fit and healthy to undergo four weeks of treatment, followed by two weeks or more to recuperate.

“In a nutshell the treatment builds up the immune system to fight the cancer – they engineer cells – it’s pretty new.”

Regular bloods tests at home in Ireland would monitor his health and further treatments in the future may be necessary, he added.

“If treatment is successful they can cryogenically freezeyour good fighting immune cells for up to three years. If I develop cancer within that time I can go back and it can help fight the cancer.”

In just 16 days since the GoFundMe page was set up over €6,000 has been raised and the couple are hoping more people will help them raise as much of the funding as possible to give Ross a fighting chance.

“The fundraising will be on a long term basis. It’s a tough time of the year with Christmas just over and people have spent so much. It doesn’t have to be much - even just a euro – no matter how little it will all help.”

To donate to www.gofundme.com/help-raise-treatment-funds-for-Ross

 

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Gary Moynihan wins racecourse style title

Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day. Moynihan, a local neuromuscular […]

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Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day.

Moynihan, a local neuromuscular therapist, claimed Best Dressed Gentleman in a made-to-measure six-button burgundy double-breasted suit with a navy check from Saville Menswear in Cork. He completed the winning look with a shirt and paisley tie from Simply Suits Killarney and brown derby shoes from Pavers at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Best Dressed Lady was awarded to Novak, a hospital personal assistant from Tullamore, who wore a red polka-dot ensemble and custom hat designed by milliner Rita Daly, featuring sustainable jewellery made from recycled plastic.
Canella Lane owner Ciana Aspell praised the high standard of fashion on the day, while Killarney Racecourse Manager Karl McCay thanked the sponsors and racegoers for their support.
With the summer season now wrapped up, the team at Killarney Racecourse is gearing up for the October Festival on October 4 and 5, featuring its first-ever Student Raceday with SPIN South West on the Monday. Early ticket booking is advised.

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Gleneagle Concert Band opens recruitment drive for new members

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The Gleneagle Concert Band is inviting new members of all ages to join the ensemble as it prepares for its new season starting this September.



Open to children, young people, and adults from Killarney and surrounding areas, the band offers specialist instrumental tuition starting from age nine. Beginners can take lessons in clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and drums before progressing into the main band.

No previous experience is required for adults or children. The band also welcomes adults who already play an instrument or wish to return to music after a break.

“What makes Gleneagle special is that our musicians don’t just rehearse in a room and play the occasional concert,” said Music Development Officer Vincent Condon. “They perform at major events, festivals and community occasions, take part in film productions, travel internationally and, importantly, have fun together as a band. The band is open to everyone. We welcome young people who want to learn an instrument, as well as adults who have previous musical experience and would like to return to playing.”

For information on registration and lessons, contact 087 222 9513 or visit the band’s social media pages.

Busy summer of events


The Gleneagle Concert Band has concluded a busy 12 months featuring public performances, festival appearances, and charity work.

Highlights included the annual summer street concerts in Killarney town, along with performances at Puck Fair, the Rose of Tralee, and the Summer in Killarney Festival. Band members were also involved in the filming of Jimmy, an upcoming Hollywood biographical drama based on actor Jimmy Stewart.

Community fundraising remained a focus over the past year, with the band supporting local causes including the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club and Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House alongside a sold-out Annual Concert.

Following a tour to Seville in 2025, the band has confirmed its next overseas trip to Bilbao and San Sebastián in northern Spain, scheduled for August 2027.

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