Limerick communities rally to help ‘sunny' 8-year-old through unexpected leukemia battle
Amelia, a student at Monaleen National School, had just completed 1st class when her diagnosis came.
Known for her 'sunny personality' and 'love of learning', Amelia is also a talented Irish dancer having taken part in her very first feis this year
She is now undergoing an intensive treatment plan at Crumlin Children's Hospital, which includes long days of travel and hospital stays.
The fundraiser, organised by Marianne Flannery and Johanna McWilliams, is aimed at supporting Amelia's parents, Brendan and Caroline Murphy, who have been active and valued members of the Annacotty and Castletroy community for over 20 years.
Caroline and her mother Eileen are well known among Irish music fans and rarely miss a Nathan Carter concert.
Brendan is a familiar face to many through in work and community, and both parents are always the first to support local events, schools, and clubs.
Amelia's big brother, Cillian, has just finished 4th class and is a member of both the Monaleen GAA and UL Bohemians Rugby Club.
The Murphy family are passionate Limerick GAA supporters, cheering on the boys in green through thick and thin.
Due to this difficult time, Brendan and Caroline have had to step back from work in order to care for Amelia.
ADVERTISEMENT
The campaign has been set up to help the Murphys focus entirely on helping their daughter get through this unprecedented time.
According to the organisers: 'Every donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference. Your kindness and generosity will help this much-loved local family through the most challenging time of their lives.'
'Let's rally together and show the Murphys the same unwavering support they've always shown our community,' the organisers added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Urgent recall issued on popular Irish dinners from SuperValu & Centra over presence of potentially fatal bacteria
AN URGENT warning has been issued to Irish shoppers after three popular dinners were pulled off the shelves in stores over health fears. The 2 The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued an urgent recall on popular dinner meals Credit: Getty Images - Getty The affected batches of turkey and ham dinners sold at It's hazardous for those with weak immune systems, The affected products are: Central Turkey & Ham Dinner SuperValu Turkey & Ham Dinner Good Food Locally Sourced Turkey & Ham Dinner READ MORE ON PRODUCT RECALLS It is currently unknown how many affected products were sold. The spokesperson stated that all implicated ready meals in all pack sizes with the approval number 4008 are affected by the recall. The implicated products were also removed from the shelves to prevent further sales, and the The FSAI requested SuperValu and Centra to contact the affected customers and recall the implicated ready meals. Most read in Health Customers are encouraged not to eat the affected ready meals and to dispose of them or return them to the point-of-sale. If healthy customers have consumed the contaminated food with the Urgent health alert as GP shares ways to combat illness with simple everyday task However, if immunocompromised and elderly individuals contracted the infection from contaminated food, it can spread to the central nervous system, causing meningitis and/or septicaemia. It comes with such Infected pregnant women may have no symptoms or experience only a mild flu-like illness. Still, infection during pregnancy can lead to premature labour, meningitis in the newborn or even miscarriage. How to protect myself from listeriosis? Protecting yourself against the fatal bacteria is vital, especially for pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. There are several measures issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre that can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the infection: Keep foods for as short a time as possible and follow storage instructions including 'use by' and 'eat by' dates Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, ensuring that it is cooked through to the middle Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked and ready-to-eat foods Wash salads, fruit and raw vegetables thoroughly before eating, or peel if appropriate Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after contact with uncooked food Make sure that the refrigerator is working correctly When heating food in a microwave, follow heating and standing times recommended by the manufacturer Throw away leftover reheated food. Cooked food which is not eaten immediately should be cooled as rapidly as possible and then stored in the refrigerator Pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating high-risk foods such as: raw (unpasteurised) milk or foods made from raw milk, soft or mould-ripened cheeses (e.g. feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses), pâté and smoked salmon. If contact with ewes at lambing time is unavoidable for pregnant women, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems, washing hands after handling animals should reduce any possibility of infection. The infection can be diagnosed by culture of blood or cerebrospinal fluid, and for pregnant women, this can be done through a The first symptoms appear after consuming the affected batch during the first three weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days. If a woman eats contaminated food during pregnancy, the infection can be passed across the placenta to the baby. TREATMENT If contracted, the dangerous bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but even with treatment, infection can be severe and may result in death. Listeria monocytogenes is widespread in the environment and can be found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or manure used as fertiliser. 2 The Ballymaguire Foods may contain the presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Irish Independent
17 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Boil water noticed in Cork affecting almost 4,700 customers
Corkman A boil water notice has been issued in Macroom following a combination of elevated levels of turbidity and operational issues at the treatment plant. Approximately 4,697 customers are impacted by the notice. Following a consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann issued the notice to protect the health of residents, and they said works to lift the notice is their priority. Brian O'Leary, Uisce Éireann Regional Operations Manager, said: 'We acknowledge the frustration felt by the local community and the significant inconvenience that customers on this supply have experienced in recent years and would like to reassure those impacted that we are working as quickly and efficiently as possible to complete these vital upgrade works.' Uisce Éireann added that the presence of turbidity in the incoming raw water is largely influenced by seasonal changes in Irish weather and given the limitations of the existing water treatment plant and pump station. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled. Water must be boiled for: drinking; brushing teeth; drinks made with water; during the preparation of foods as well as making ice. Affected customers can use the water for personal hygiene except brushing teeth. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting and entering the property's Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children. Updates will be made available via on X (formerly Twitter) and the customer care helpline on 1800 278 278.
The Journal
19 hours ago
- The Journal
Irish swimmers warned about venomous fish that can 'ruin' a beach day
IN THE WAKE of the hot spell, swimmers are being warned about a venomous fish which can be found buried in sand around the Irish coastline. The weever fish lurks in sandy areas of shallow waters with only its fin visible, and gives a painful sting to unsuspecting swimmers and walkers who cross its path. The sting can cause severe pain, swelling, redness and numbness which peaks in the first two hours, but may last more than 24 hours. A sting is usually non-life threatening, but severe cases may cause anaphylactic shock. Méabh Delaney was stung by a weever fish while holidaying in Kerry and described it as a 'really horrible' experience. 'I was walking on the beach with my friend who was a lifeguard and next thing I knew, I felt a weird sensation in my leg and my foot. Thankfully I was with my friend who knew straight away it was a weever fish because they can be common enough in Kerry waters', she said. Delaney said her friend brought her to the lifeguard on duty who was used to treating weever fish stings and immediately prepared boiling water to treat the sting. 'Because it was an isolated Kerry beach they only had a limited supply of boiling water, and that is how you get the sting out. You have to put your foot in water as hot as possible, you nearly have to burn your foot just to get the poison out,' she said. 'It was really, really sore, the lifeguard said he has seen grown men cry from the sting. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets and it travels up your leg', she added. Advertisement Roger Sweeney, deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland said the fish are 'all around' the Irish coast and most common between May and September when the water temperature rises. 'They're very small, but they're venomous', he said, adding that a sting from a weever fish will 'ruin the day'. 'People have described it as intense for the first two hours. The foot can go red and swell up and can feel a bit numb. It can last on to the following day, with irritation for days', he said. To reduce the risk of a sting, swimmers are advised to avoid the beach during the two hours before or after low tide as weever fish prefer warm, shallow sandy waters where people paddle. Sweeney recommends swimming in lifeguarded waterways, wearing foot protection, or shuffling your feet when walking on the sand to disturb the fish and prevent a sting. Bathers who fall victim to the fish are advised to consult a lifeguard and immerse their foot in water 'as hot as can be tolerated' at up to 40 degrees Celsius for up to 90 minutes minimum, as heat breaks down the venom. If the pain persists, seek medical attention. Sweeney warned that the numbness caused by the sting may desensitise your foot, risking a potential burn from the hot water. To avoid this, place both feet in the water to ensure the temperature is not dangerous. He advised against using cold compresses on a sting, as the cold will worsen the pain. If stung, the National Poisons Information Centre recommends taking paracetamol to relieve pain and calling the NPIC on 01 8092166. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
