KINDNESS: Members of the Polish community living in Killarney are helping to raise funds for a little Polish baby who needs to undergo treatment costing over €2m. Pictured were: Aron Gorka, Diana Sobas Gorka, Liliana Gorka, Gosia and Max Usiarczyk, Adam Zakrzewski, and Alan Dineen owner of Formally Yours. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

Polish and Irish communities in Killarney have come together to help raise funds towards the €2m cost of treatment for a very sick little baby.

Polish native Gosia Usiarczyk called on the local business community to donate what they could to help fund medical treatment for 15-month-old Franio Marcinkowski, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I and now faces a battle between life and death.

However, Polish locals in Killarney rallied when they heard of the baby’s plight and have since roped in the help of others.

Diana Sobas Gorka and Gosia set about asking local Polish and Irish businesses for help with local collections and setting up an auction to raise funds.

“I come from where the family live in Poland and when I saw it on Facebook I felt I wanted to do something,” Gosia told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I have children, Max (9) and Maja who is seven-months-old and as she’s close in age with Franio, I felt I needed to help in some way. There are groups in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Diana created an Irish group and when I heard about her we decided to act together.”

She added that they know time fundraising is limited as treatment has to be given before age two.

“Every day our group is growing, not only Polish but also local people have joined. Now we have a few local businesses that helps us. We have Buddies Killarney, Bowling Buddies in Tralee, West Hotel in Bantry, Malgorzata Milczek Photography, Unique Hair by Katarzyna Bartczak, polish shop Pewex, Porterhouse, Chocolate Hair Salon, Formally Yours, BEBeauty by Aga Kuc.”

Anyone looking donate can do so by joining the FB group: ‘Auctions for Franio Marcinkowski’.