13-05-2025
Roseanna Ruane reveals devastating moment she was told daughter Saoirse's time was 'limited'
Roseanna Ruane has opened up on the moment she was told her daughter Saoirse's time was 'limited,' and there was no more that could be done in her cancer battle.
Saoírse won the hearts of the nation following her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020, which prompted the creation of the Toy Show Appeal.
The fundraiser has raised millions of euro for charities since its inception. Roseanna Ruane has opened up on the moment she was told her daughter Saoirse's time was 'limited,' and there was no more that could be done in her cancer battle. Pic: Instagram/ Roseanna Ruane
Speaking on The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy on Tuesday, Roseanna admitted that the family 'still weren't ready' to talk in full about the loss of Saoirse, but revealed that a CT scan in April 2023 changed everything.
'She presented very well and the CT scan was done and it was, 'Sure, lookit, we'll give you a ring later,' this was the norm. Off we go down to Galway,' Roseanna detailed, 'We thought no more of it, we thought it was going to be another good review, but it wasn't.
'We got the CT scans before we ever left Dublin. We were just called into a room and you know it's that look between the doctor and you in the corridor and the beckoning, I just knew.' On Tuesday, Ryan was joined by Roseanna for the seventh episode of his book-inspired podcast, The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy. Pic: The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy
Roseanna shared how they were told on that day that there was no more that could be done to help Saoirse.
'We were told that day that there was no more they could do — they could keep throwing chemo at her; they could keep having surgeries and surgeries but… She had started initially with the cancer in the tibia in her leg and then she got cancer in her leg and this was a relapse… it just kept coming,' Roseanna shared.
'We were being told her time was limited now, and this was April 2023 and I asked the question would we have her for Christmas and I was told possibly not. That's the day we started grieving the life that we knew was ahead.' Ryan Tubridy and Saoírse Ruane. Pic: SaoirseAndMamma/Instagram
Elsewhere in the podcast, Ryan revealed he had recently found a letter he received from Saoirse following his departure from RTÉ.
The presenter and broadcaster departed the public service broadcaster in 2023, and is now fronting his own mid-morning show with Virgin Radio UK.
Saoirse's letter to Ryan read: 'To Ryan, you're going to be really missed but we will keep up our friendship and our door will always be open to you.
'Thank you for everything Toy Show related, and the unconditional love you have always shown me and my family. We would love you to pop in for some Black Forest Gateau on route home from your holidays in the West of Ireland.
'Lots of love and hugs, Saoirse Ruane.'
