A 14-year-old Buncrana boy is receiving good luck wishes and prayers from near and far as he travels to the US for cancer treatment.
Rocco McGinley, a student of Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, will begin his journey tomorrow as he heads to Houston Texas for intensive treatment for an aggressive brain tumour.
Last summer, Rocco began to present with symptoms such as blurred vision, unsteady gait and loss of power. An MRI confirmed his family’s worst fears – a rare and life-threatening brain tumour that is particularly aggressive and difficult to treat.
After exhausting all treatment options here in Ireland, Rocco’s parents, Yvonne Hegarty from Rathmullan and Wade Mc Ginley from Buncrana, looked to the US for help. They found treatments that are very successful for Rocco’s type of tumour that have been clinically trialled. It is hoped that the treatment will shrink his tumour and help his future treatments.
A major fundraising campaign launched in early January to help cover the costs of Rocco’s treatment. So far, over €165,000 has been raised through GoFundMe, with many more donations coming in through community events.
His support team said today was “a big day for Rocco” as he makes his way to Dublin for a few scans before jetting off to Texas in the morning.
“Please keep him in your prayers over the next few weeks while he begins his treatment. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible for him, we are all so grateful.”
Any support for ‘Rocco’s Road to Recovery’ will be greatly appreciated at https://gofund.me/541b0ce6
