'Cheeky little man is still there': Kilkenny boy (7) to travel abroad for rare treatment
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family of the youngster in Graiguenamanagh
A fundraiser has been set up for a "cheeky little man" living in Graiguenamanagh after it was discovered he needs to travel abroad for treatment following the removal of a brain tumour.
Seven-year-old Anthony had been suffering from severe headaches, which doctors had put down to needing glasses.
He got his eyes tested and started to wear glasses, but on St Patrick’s Day, he was brought to the hospital because of a headache.
The next day, a scan revealed he had a brain tumour, and he was rushed to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin.
The tumour was located in Anthony's fourth ventricle, which is a deep, fluid-filled space at the base of the brain, close to the brain stem.
It is one of the most delicate and complex areas of the brain to operate on.
"Everything happened very quickly… no time to absorb anything or process anything… it was a lot to absorb in the space of a few hours," Yvonne Moylan, a friend and supporter of Anthony’s mother, Natalia, said.
The two met as they were next-door neighbours and have remained friends throughout the years, despite no longer living beside one another.
Natalia is a single mum who raises Anthony and his 5-year-old sister Amelia on her own.
They moved to Graiguenamanagh last year and quickly built a life.
Natalia and her family were at Yvonne's house for lunch on St Patrick's Day when Anthony began complaining about a "very bad" headache.
After getting the surgery, it was discovered that the treatment required is not available in Ireland.
A GoFundMe was set up to help cover the cost of the treatment, the travel, and the day-to-day expenses for the family.
Anthony has been recovering well from the surgery and is back in school for a few hours a week.
"He's my little star now. He really is a star, he's fantastic. I'm in awe of him, to be honest," Yvonne said.
At such a tender age, Anthony doesn't fully understand the situation, but he knows he is unwell and asks lots of questions.
"That cheeky little man I know so well is still there," Yvonne said.
The treatment in Manchester will take place over six weeks, with Natalia and Anthony required to go over and meet the team beforehand.
There is no set date for the treatment at the moment, but it is hoped that it will happen in June.
Anthony's little sister, who is five years old and in awe of her brother, will stay with Yvonne and her family during that time.
The plan is for Yvonne and Amelia to go to Manchester every weekend to visit.
Yvonne commended her friend's strength while sympathising with how tough the situation has been for her.
"It's a totally unexpected thing, and you can imagine then how you're just catapulted into a whole new world," Yvonne said.
"I could only imagine how isolated a situation like this would make you feel," she added.
The local community in Graiguenamangh have been a fantastic support for Natalia, with Yvonne saying it has been "absolutely amazing."
It was the neighbours in the estate who set up the GoFundMe for Natalia and who are providing her with "remarkable generosity" and daily help.
"Text messages, phone calls, just letting her know she has the support, she's not on her own, and that we're all with them, and we'll all be with them until this is done and dusted," Yvonne said.
Anthony also has a support system of his own, with his school friends coming to visit him.
The shock of Anthony's sickness has also helped people in the area come back down to earth a little bit, making them realise how fortunate they actually are.
It brings out the community spirit, all mammies feel it, all parents feel it. The support has been amazing," Yvonne said.
To support the GoFundMe, click here to donate.