Magherafelt family 'blown away' by support for brave son diagnosed with rare cancer

The family of a young boy from Magherafelt who is suffering from a rare and aggressive brain tumour say they have been 'blown away' by the support shown to a fundraising campaign to help support alternative treatment options.

Tony Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with a sizeable and aggressive brain tumour earlier this year, on March 27.

Within 48 hours, the nine year-old was rushed into major surgery which confirmed that the tumour was actually a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme: an extremely rare cancerous brain tumour that is exceptionally difficult to treat.

Although the surgery removed some of the tumour, it didn't remove it all and Tony has been undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the past number of months.

The intense treatment plan endured to date has not worked as well as hoped and additional surgery is not an option.

Tony's aunt, Carla Scullion said that the young boy's mum Mary (nee Mooney) and father Darren Fitzpatrick, together with the wider family circle, have spent this last number of months tirelessly researching and investigating treatment options for this life limiting cancer.

On Friday evening, an online fundraiser went live and within hours had raised thousands of pounds.

The GoFundMe page, which has a target of £250,000, had raised just over £184,000.

Carla says the strength shown by Tony throughout his treatment has really inspired his family and friends.

“Tony is just naturally so charismatic and everyone that meets him loves him. He is the kindest hearted wee boy ever and everyone describes him as a wee dote,” she said.

“Tony always has a wee twinkle in his eye and a wee smile for everybody. Even after the really difficult surgery, we all took heart from how brilliant and how positive he was and that really kept everybody going. He's a wee fighter and everyone is just so heartbroken by it all, it's not something you imagine is going to happen to your family.”

A pupil at Holy Family Primary School in Magherafelt, brave Tony has been described as very popular among his peers and has been determined to attend school as much as possible in between his hospital visits and chemotherapy treatment.

Carla says her nephew has a passion like no other for GAA football and lives to get to his training with his GAA club, O’Donovan Rossa’s Magherafelt, where he is a very promising and popular youth player.

The Liverpool LFC fan also loves soccer and plays for Moyola Park AFC where he dreams of playing like his idol Mo Salah one day.

“If you had to run after Tony you would have been out of breath because he's just a flying machine on the football field, he loves football,” explained Carla.

“It's just so sad to see now that he just can't do these things in the same way.”

Tony's mum Mary, a former World Champion Irish dancer, is a dentist at Quayside Dental Practice in Derry, and she and her husband Darren have had to take sabbaticals from their work to care for Tony.

They have worked hard to keep family life as normal as possible for Tony and his two sisters.

ABOVE: Tony pictured with his mum Mary, dad Darren and two sisters.

Carla says the support shown to the family has been 'amazing' and they 'appreciate every single donation'.

“We have just been blown away by the support. Everybody has really wanted to help. We are so thankful for every donation and people taking time to read the story. The overwhelming sea of support that is coming through is helping to keep the positivity alive and really give options to Tony,” Carla continued.

“Tony's parents want to give him the best chance so they are researching every avenue.”

On the GoFundMe page, a statement has urged people to support the fundraiser.

“Please help Tony fight his cancer and prolong his life by donating and sharing the GoFundMe Page. We thank you for anything that you can afford to donate and know that there is no amount too small in helping with this battle; we appreciate it all.

“Money that is not used for Tony’s treatment will be donated to a brain cancer charity. This will help fund vital research into this illness in hope of finding a cure for this cruel illness.”

ABOVE: Tony is a talented footballer and dreams of playing like his idol Mo Salah one day.

Numerous other fundraisers are currently being organised to take place this month, which is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

These include nclude a Trad for Tony Session in Magherafelt Parish Hall on Saturday, September 7 from 6pm to 9pm and a well-being session and sea dip on Sunday, September 15 at 11am at Portrush East Strand.

A coffee morning will be held in Opendoor Complex in Bellaghy on Saturday, September 7 from 10am to 12noon while charity hair and beauty treatments will take place in local salons on Sunday, September 22. Further details on upcoming events will be posted on social media.

Donations can be made here