By Michelle Crean

It was an emotional moment for one family as their son with complex needs began his very first treatment this week.

And it wouldn't have been possible without the help of school friends and the wider community who have helped with the huge cost.

Last week five-year-old Dawid Ciemny's parents Slawek Ciemny and Kamila Smietanska accepted a generous cheque of over €3,000 from his school pals and staff at Holy Cross Mercy School, where he attends the ASD Sunshine Class, after a number of fundraisers were organised.

Dawid suffers from a condition called Autoimmune Encephalitis which causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy brain cells. This week he began his first immunoglobulin infusion treatment in Poland with every session taking place six weeks apart and costing €5,000 each time.

Although originally given the diagnosis of Autism, his parents say it’s a lot more complex than that as Dawid is non-verbal and suffers from irrational anxieties and is in constant pain.

In November his parents, who live in Courtyard Killarney, set up a GoFundMe page 'The disease has taken control over Dawid !' and have so far raised €8,632 of a €50,000 goal.

With some of the funding raised online and that donated by the community through the school's fundraisers, it means that Dawid was able to begin his treatment.

Dawid's teacher Lucy O'Mahony said his father was deeply moved to receive a cheque for the sum of €3,375 from the staff and pupils of both the Holy Cross Mercy School and the Monastery School.

"He was enormously appreciative of the fact that such a large amount of money was raised for his son," Lucy told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Slawek found it difficult to adequately express the extent of his gratitude to the two schools involved. He was equally touched by the lovely cards from the children expressing their concern and well wishes for Dawid."

Dawid's mom Kamila said that they would like to thank everyone involved in fundraising.

"All teachers at the school did a huge job organising the fundraiser and we are thankful. Thanks for the massive support. We would like to thank the children and their parents for engagement to help Dawid. Thanks to people with huge hearts we can realise [the] next treatment plan."

The fundraiser is still open, she added.