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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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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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