Éabha Duggan (1) has the same genetic condition as her older sister Saoirse (3) who died in June from leukaemia.Over €92,000 has already been raised to help fund the treatment
Éabha Duggan, the adored daughter of Tommy from Bekan, Claremorris, County Mayo and Martina, originally from Eyrecourt, County Galway, must travel to Utrecht, in the Netherlands, over the coming weeks to receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Tommy and Martina’s one-year-old daughter had been diagnosed with a rare and serious genetic condition, news which is already every family’s worst nightmare, but especially heartbreakingly for the Duggan family, this is not their first trip down this awful road.
The Duggan family lost their daughter Saoirse to leukaemia as a result of this genetic condition on June 15, 2025, at just three-years-old.
Éabha Duggan and her sister Saoirse who passed away from leukaemia, as a result of the same genetic condition Éabha has, just weeks ago.
‘More than any family should have to bear’ – sister launches appeal
Martina’s sister, Anne Marie, set up the GoFundMe page with the aim to help ease the financial burden placed on the Duggan family as they fight to save Éabha’s life.
“To face such loss and now fight for another child’s life is more than any family should have to bear,” the GoFundMe page read.
“Éabha has been diagnosed with a rare and serious genetic condition that requires a bone marrow transplant – a treatment not currently available in Ireland. Her only option is to travel to Prinses Máxima Centrum in Utrecht, a world-leading specialist children’s hospital in the Netherlands.
“Éabha’s big sister, Saoirse, tragically passed away on the 15 June 2025 from the same rare condition that resulted in her own battle with leukaemia. Saoirse was diagnosed with leukaemia in late 2023 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in February 2024. Though her family hoped she had overcome the disease, it returned just months later.”
The fundraiser description explained that time is critical for Éabha.
Time critical as HSE covers medical costs but family faces other expenses
“Time is critical, and her family now faces the emotional and financial challenge of bringing their daughter overseas for the care that could save her life,” the GoFundMe page continued.
“While the medical costs are covered by the HSE there are many other overwhelming financial costs that must be covered by the family. This donation page has been created in response to the many friends, neighbours, and kind-hearted people who’ve asked how they can help.
“All money raised will go directly to Tommy and Martina to help them support Éabha with medical care and other related costs as they prepare to a difficult road to recovery beginning with travel abroad for lifesaving treatment.
“Let’s come together and show Éabha, Tommy, Martina, and all who loved Saoirse that they’re not alone. Let’s help give Éabha the best possible chance at a healthy future.”
The Duggan family are fundraising to send Éabha (right) for a bone marrow transplant just weeks afterher three-year-old sister Saoirse (left) passed away.
€92,000 raised from nearly 500 people
Originally set up with a target of €40,000, the fundraiser has now well-surpassed that mark, and – at the time of writing – is sitting at close to €92,000, with over 490 people supporting the cause.
Words of support offered through the GoFundMe page are wishing the Duggan family “the very best” on Éabha’s treatment journey.
“I am in awe of your strength after facing such heartbreak, Martina,” one supporter said.
“As you, Tommy, and Éabha take this brave step abroad, know that you’re not alone, we’re all with you. Éabha’s guardian angel, her big sister Saoirse, will be guiding and helping you every step of the way.”
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