Fundraising appeal underway for couple battling major health issues
Denise (48) and Gerry Collins (53), Rooskey, Bealnamullia are facing massive health challenges.
A major fundraising appeal is underway for a South Roscommon couple who are both battling serious health problems, which forced the two of them to spend the Christmas period in hospital away from their young children.
Denise (48) and Gerry Collins (53), Rooskey, Bealnamullia are facing massive health challenges while also trying to keep home life together for their three children, Zoe (17), Mia (11) and Jay (10).
On December 13th, Denise was brought by emergency ambulance to Portiuncula Hospital where she was kept in for the Christmas period. She was then transferred to St. James’s Hospital in Dublin, staying there for three weeks for further tests.
Following the tests, a tumour was discovered in her stomach, which will require medical intervention involving chemotherapy treatment and surgery.
Like Denise, her husband Gerry has showed tremendous courage in the face of adversity. He had to spend Christmas in hospital after developing a clot in his lung. In 2019, he overcame breast cancer after successful treatment before cancer appeared again in his lungs and bones.
Last year, he underwent a hip operation in University Hospital Galway as part of his treatment. Gerry, who has been off work for the last three years, is currently on medication and under hospital supervision.
As their significant health battles continue, both Denise and Gerry want to acknowledge the tremendous support they and their three children continue to receive from family, friends, and neighbours. The couple's three children are in school locally Mia and Jay are in Fifth Class and Fourth Class respectively at Cloonakilla National School while Zoe is a Fifth Year student at Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill.
A major fundraising appeal is now underway for Denise (nee Finneran), who is originally from Cornaseer, Kiltoom, and Gerry, who is a native of Lisbrock, Brideswell.
An idonate fundraising page has been set up to help support the family and anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at the following link: https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/SupportDeniseGerryCollins
