Latest news with #LauraLynnFoundation
Dublin Live
29-05-2025
- Health
- Dublin Live
Student battling cancer donates hair to wig-making charity before chemotherapy
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A courageous 17-year-old student has donated 16 inches of her hair to a charity that creates wigs for children fighting cancer, despite undergoing chemotherapy herself. Aine Sheerin discovered a lump on her neck while getting ready for New Year's Eve and was later diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, on March 20. As part of her six-month treatment plan, Aine will undergo multiple chemotherapy sessions, resulting in hair loss. The LauraLynn Foundation arranged for Aine to receive a wig from the Little Princess Trust in the UK, which she will start wearing full-time once she shaves her head. In a remarkable act of kindness, Aine decided to donate her own hair to the charity before losing it, so it can be used to make wigs for others in similar situations. Aine's hair was 24 inches long before she had 16 inches cut off, and she told the Irish Mirror: "My wig that I'm getting is 100 per cent human hair. I was devastated when I was first diagnosed because my biggest prized possession was my hair. I've always loved my hair. "So I said 'no way, am I going to let it go to waste, I'll donate it back'. Because I know if somebody didn't donate the hair that is on my wig, I wouldn't have it. I would like to make another little girl happy the way mine made me happy." Aine's initial symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma included fatigue, which she initially attributed to her Leaving Cert studies. After discovering a lump on December 30, Aine consulted her physio in January to see if it was related to her back problems. However, the physio advised her that the two issues were unrelated and that she should consult her GP, ultimately leading to her diagnosis of Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Fortunately, doctors have assured her that this type of cancer is highly treatable, and she is expected to make a full recovery. Despite this setback, Aine remains determined and plans to pursue a degree in Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University after completing her Leaving Cert. The teenager has adapted her study schedule to accommodate her chemotherapy sessions and will even undergo treatment during her exams. She said: "I'm feeling 100 per cent right now. It's been tough when I've been sick; it's been very, very hard to study and look over my notes. It's very overwhelming, and you think, 'Why do I bother?' Will I even be able to do the Leaving? "But now that I'm well, I've been studying non-stop because I have to get more chemo. Whenever I feel well, I try to study as much as possible." A Kildare teen, who is soon to celebrate her 18th birthday, has heaped praise on her family for their incredible support throughout her health battle. With special mentions for her mum Sinead, dad Frank, boyfriend Theo Hanlon, and the staff at Kildare Town Community School, she explained how they've been with her every step of the way. As a young woman involved in numerous initiatives like Meitheal, Green Schools and Foróige, as well as serving as Head Girl and chairperson of the student council, Aine is a true pillar of the community. She even gave an inspiring speech at her sixth-year graduation ceremony this month, and she's forthcoming about how these roles have aided her in coping with her diagnosis. Opening up about her experience, Aine said: "Those types of roles helped me get through my darkest days." In a remarkable display of altruism, Aine hasn't stopped at just managing her own struggles; she's actively fundraising for the LauraLynn Foundation, having raised an impressive sum of more than €9,000 so far. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Student with cancer donates hair to wig-making charity for sick youngsters
A sixth-year student undergoing chemotherapy has donated 16 inches of her hair to a charity that specialises in making wigs for youngsters battling cancer. Aine Sheerin revealed she initially discovered a lump on her neck while putting on tan before New Year's Eve. Following a battery of tests, the 17-year-old was officially diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma - a type of blood cancer - on March 20. Medics devised a six-month treatment plan to tackle the cancer, which involves multiple chemotherapy sessions and will result in her losing her hair. The LauraLynn Foundation secured Aine a wig from the Little Princess Trust based in the UK. The Kildare teen will begin wearing it full-time in the next few weeks once she shaves her head when her own hair begins to fall out. But in an incredibly selfless gesture, the young woman decided to donate her own hair back to the charity before losing it so wigs could be made for others in a similar situation. Before getting her haircut, Aine's hair was 24 inches long and she had 16 inches removed. Speaking after her hair was chopped, Aine told the Irish Mirror: 'My wig that I'm getting is 100 per cent human hair. 'I was devastated when I was first diagnosed because my biggest prized possession was my hair. I've always loved my hair. 'So I said 'no way, am I going to let it go to waste, I'll donate it back'. Because I know if somebody didn't donate the hair that is on my wig, I wouldn't have it. 'I would like to make another little girl happy the way mine made me happy.' Aine recalls some early symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma included tiredness, which she just put down to studying for the Leaving Cert. After discovering the lump on December 30, Aine asked her physio in January if it had anything to do with her back problems. The physio informed her that they weren't related and that she needed to check in with her GP, which eventually led to her diagnosis of Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Medics said this particular type is highly treatable and she is expected to make a full recovery. But getting the news hasn't knocked Aine's stride - she plans on studying Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University once the Leaving Cert is over. The teen also said she plans her study sessions around when she has chemotherapy and will have treatment in the middle of her exams. She explained: 'I'm feeling 100 per cent right now. It's been tough when I've been sick; it's been very, very hard to study and look over my notes. 'It's very overwhelming, and you think, 'Why do I bother?' Will I even be able to do the Leaving? But now that I'm well, I've been studying non-stop because I have to get more chemo. 'Whenever I feel well, I try to study as much as possible.' The teen, who will turn 18 in the coming weeks, praised her family, particularly her mum Sinead and her dad Frank, friends and staff at Kildare Town Community School along with her boyfriend Theo Hanlon for their support. She is also part of a range of different initiatives such as Meitheal, Green Schools and Foróige while also being the Head Girl and the chairperson of the student council. Aine also delivered a speech to her classmates and teachers at her sixth-year graduation ceremony earlier this month. She said all these extracurricular activities have helped her keep her mind off her diagnosis. Aine explained: 'Those types of roles helped me get through my darkest days.' In addition to donating her hair, Aine is also raising funds for the LauraLynn Foundation. To date, more than €9,000 has been raised; donations can be made here. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that begins in the lymphatic system - which is a vital part of the body's immune system.
