RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey has rowed in behind the campaign to raise funds for Zara Cronin’s urgent neurosurgery in September.
Clare Senior Hurlers among them Jack Browne, Peter Duggan, Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly, Podge Collins and Shane O’Donnell will take part in a walk/run on Saturday 21st July from Ruan Village at 10am.
The popular Dancing with the Stars contestant wants people to come out and walk with the Clare Hurlers to help boost funds for Zara’s vital surgery. “The more people who can come out and support the mammoth effort by a very active fund-raising committee, the better”, he said. “Zara is an amazing young girl who really needs this lifesaving surgery scheduled for the 10th September in Barcelona. When you meet her, it’s hard to walk away and not do everything possible to ensure she has the surgery she needs,” he said.
Dysart girl, Zara Cronin is 10 years old and has been diagnosed with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. It is a condition that affects the connective tissues mainly of the skin and joints. In effect it means that she hasn’t sufficient collagen to provide support for her neck and head. The essential surgery is a cranio-cervical fusion and though not a cure, if successful it will allow her to keep her head in a normal upright position.
Following a minor injury in December 2017, she dislocated her C1 & C2 vertebrae and since then she is wheelchair bound and her neck is in a hard collar to ensure stability and to mitigate against further neck damage. For a time, she was in a halo brace that required the insertion of four screws in her skull. In addition, Zara has a further diagnosis of Hind-Brain Hernia that has the potential to cause brain stem compression and add further complications.
Her Mum, Ann has thanked Marty Morrissey for his support and the businesses, organisations and so many generous individuals who have provided financial assistance to the fund and indeed all forms assistance in so many different ways. “We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of people, but we must keep going,’ she said. ‘We have received €59,200 euro to date and our target is €100,000. The money must be paid up front before the surgery,” Ann O’Gorman explained.
Zara doesn’t qualify for the HSE operated Treatment Abroad Scheme or the Cross-Border Health Initiative. Her condition cannot be treated in Ireland, nor can she even have a sit-up or stand-up MRI service in this country. She is left with no other option but to travel to the Teknon Medical Centre in Barcelona.
Help can be provided in the following ways:
Donate directly through Permanent TSB, O’Connell St., Ennis
Permanent TSB, O’Connell St., Ennis, Co. Clare
IBAN IE67I PBS 99072827283203
BIC IPBSIE2D
Donate on-line by logging on to www.fundraiserforzara.com
Walk with the Clare Hurlers from Ruan Village on Sunday 21st July (Entry: Adult €20, Child €5) or Register online now at www.claresports.ie to be in with a chance to win a two- night stay in your choice of any of the Flynn Hotels in Ennis, Kilkenny, Waterford or Cork
Sign up for the Poker Classic at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis on Friday July 27th at 9.30pm (Entry: €25 on the night) or tickets can be purchased at Biggles Casino, Market Street, Ennis or Ennis Outlet Store, Abbey Street Ennis.
