Strength, Faith and Hope
Fundraising campaign by
Haley Moynihan
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£1,917.73raised of £2,000.00 goal goal
Campaign Story
On Thursday 7th November 2013, my brother David fell and fractured his hip. Little did we know that this was the beginning of something life changing.
On arrival in Ireland a couple of days later, myself, David and his wife Catherine spent an agonising wait until Monday when we were expecting some results from various tests/scans that David had had.
Monday arrived and the doctor took us into a private room to tell us that they had found what looks like tumour in David's hip bone and other organs, however they could not diagnose the problem until biopsies of David's bone and liver had been taken. Our world came crashing down around us. With no real diagnosis, it left us with questions that couldn't be answered, and what felt like an insurmountable mountain to climb.
From that point, things started to happen. Tuesday David had his Liver biopsy and Wednesday his Hip Bone biopsy.
On Friday 15th November, it was confirmed that it was a type of cancer, although due to its rare nature, the type was unknown.
On Monday 18th November, our mother and younger brother Brendan arrived from South Africa on holiday. David's sister in law also arrived from Australia. This holiday was pre planned for us all to get together and for mom and Brendan to meet David's 2 year old son, Casey for the first time. Although our time together was spent a little differently than anticipated, it was still a special and vital time to be together.
That week, it was confirmed that David had an aggressive form of Cancer usually found in children, namely - Ewings Sarcoma. On Thursday 21st November the Doctors came round and explained that they would be operating the following day - doing a full hip replacement. They also explained that it was a high risk procedure due to the tumour in the bone that would be ruptured during the operation and the subsequent blood loss. At this point David was given a 50/50 chance of survival through the surgery and an option to refuse it completely.
David, being the strong fighter as we know him, chose to go ahead with the surgery.
I remember his words the following day as he was being prepped for surgery - "Come on Doctors, fix me!"
And so we waited, and waited and waited for eternity it seemed, until we got the news that the intensive care unit had called for David's bed, which was an indication that he was fine. The sense of relief when the Doctor came to us and said the operation was a success, was completely overwhelming.
David was sitting on the side of the bed, standing and sitting on a chair by the very next day.
On Tuesday 26th November David was moved to Beaumont hospital - a large academic teaching hospital in Dublin providing emergency and acute care services including a designated Cancer Centre.
A couple of days later and with very heavy hearts, Mom, Brendan and I left Dublin to return to London and South Africa respectively.
David received his first Chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday 3rd December and was allowed home on Saturday 7th December - a month since his initial fall and also just in time for Casey's 3rd birthday on the 8th
David is due back at Beaumont for his next set of treatment lasting around 5 days on 30th December.
And so it is now that we come to you for some support.
I am raising funds by doing a cycle ride from London to Brighton (54 miles and approximately 8 hours) on Sunday 15th June 2014.
Any money raised will be used for medical costs/bills (some of David's treatment is not covered by Irish medical aid) It will be used for David's complex dietary needs as well as travel expenses to be there for support as needed.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like any more information - Haley - +44 7872471157.
Track my cycling progress on Facebook! (name appears on facebook as Haley Moynihan)
Thanking you in advance for your love and support.
With God, all things are possible xxx
ps. A big Thank You to Gina, our other sister, for your continued support. And to the friends back in SA that have already helped financially and spiritually, you guys are awesome!
Not forgetting the incredible medical team for their expertise.
pps. Absolutely any amount will be totally appreciated, large or small!
Organizer
- Haley Moynihan
- London, UK
Donors
- Isha
- Donated on Jul 28, 2014
Well done Haley!! So proud of you sweetheart. Just sending a small token for all your efforts for Casey and Catherine as a gift or to raise a glass and sippy cup to amazing David and us all being fortunate enough to have known him and enjoyed amazing times, good advice, crazy adventures and giant hugs. Big Dave never ever forgotten and living on always in our hearts. Well done ma pigeon!!! Xxxx Lots of love always, Isha
- Russ
- Donated on Jul 20, 2014
Well done Haley
"It's not length of life but depth of life"
Update posted by Haley Moynihan at 04:35 pmDear all Sadly, David lost his battle with cancer and left us on 16th March 2014. As per his wish I will still be doing the cycle on 15th June in memory of my beautiful, brave brother. I want to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and donations. The
New Year - Renewed Strength
Update posted by Haley Moynihan at 06:51 amHappy New Year to all! Many thanks for the donations received so far. Just an update. The date for the cycle challenge has changed to Sunday 15th June 2014. I am doing it through an organised event by The British Heart Foundation. Here's a link to their website if you'd
Donors & Comments
- Isha
- Donated on Jul 28, 2014
Well done Haley!! So proud of you sweetheart. Just sending a small token for all your efforts for Casey and Catherine as a gift or to raise a glass and sippy cup to amazing David and us all being fortunate enough to have known him and enjoyed amazing times, good advice, crazy adventures and giant hugs. Big Dave never ever forgotten and living on always in our hearts. Well done ma pigeon!!! Xxxx Lots of love always, Isha
- Isha
- Donated on Jul 28, 2014
Well done Haley!! So proud of you sweetheart. Just sending a small token for all your efforts for Casey and Catherine as a gift or to raise a glass and sippy cup to amazing David and us all being fortunate enough to have known him and enjoyed amazing times, good advice, crazy adventures and giant hugs. Big Dave never ever forgotten and living on always in our hearts. Well done ma pigeon!!! Xxxx Lots of love always, Isha
- Russ
- Donated on Jul 20, 2014
Well done Haley
- Careline staff
- Donated on Jul 17, 2014
Well done Haley!!
- Guest
- Donated on Jun 17, 2014
You are truly amazing Haley! Wow what an effort totally outstanding!
- Amanda bridges
- Donated on Jun 16, 2014
Big well done Haley on your cycle challenge, so very proud of you and I'm sure your brother is too xxx
- Sheldine
- Donated on Jun 16, 2014
Well done Haley, proud of you!
- Brendan (brother)
- Donated on Jun 10, 2014
Hello Dave Thank you for being there for me all of those years. You are my mentor and always will be. i will forever miss you, but never forget you. i Love you Brother Dutna xxx
- Camilla
- Donated on May 17, 2014
Good luck Haley, you are a true inspiration. X
- Guest
- Donated on May 17, 2014
Faith and fortitude to you Haley you can make the future bright.
Well done Haley!! So proud of you sweetheart. Just sending a small token for all your efforts for Casey and Catherine as a gift or to raise a glass and sippy cup to amazing David and us all being fortunate enough to have known him and enjoyed amazing times, good advice, crazy adventures and giant hugs. Big Dave never ever forgotten and living on always in our hearts. Well done ma pigeon!!! Xxxx Lots of love always, Isha