More than €750,000 has been raised in three days for Sharon Ball, a 38-year-old primary school teacher from Trim, who was diagnosed in October 2025 with stage 4 skull-based osteosarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer
Sharon Ball with her family
A brave Meath mum-of-three battling a rare and aggressive cancer is on her way to the United States for life-saving treatment after an extraordinary fundraising campaign surpassed expectations.
More than €750,000 has been raised in three days for Sharon Ball, a 38-year-old primary school teacher from Trim, who was diagnosed in October 2025 with stage 4 skull-based osteosarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer.
The total has exceeded the original €650,000 target set to fund urgent surgery in New York.
Sharon, originally from Bohermeen near Kells, previously underwent chemotherapy, which, unfortunately, was not successful. She has since been offered the opportunity to undergo specialised surgery in New York, providing renewed hope for her and her family.
She and her husband Dermot are due to travel to New York this week to begin consultations ahead of the procedure.
The couple expect to remain there for several months, as Sharon will require further treatment following surgery as well as time to recover close to the hospital, the Hope4Sharon committee wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page.
The campaign has attracted widespread support; including backing from well-known figures such as Maura Higgins, Jenny McCarthy and Jessica O’Mahony.
Jenny McCarthy, who photographed Sharon’s wedding and has undergone two brain surgeries herself, appealed to the public to support the fundraiser.
Organisers have described the response as overwhelming, with thousands of people contributing and sharing the appeal online.
In a statement, the fundraising committee said Sharon and Dermot were “incredibly grateful” for the kindness and generosity shown.
However, they noted that while the amount raised so far has been significant, the full cost of treatment is not yet known and will only become clear once Sharon’s consultations are complete and a detailed care plan is confirmed.
Sharon is a mother to three young children Jack (6), Louis (4) and nine-month-old Sophie and is determined to pursue every possible option for treatment.
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Supporters are continuing to encourage donations and shares, emphasising that ongoing public support will be crucial as Sharon begins the next stage of her treatment journey.
In the update, the fundraising organiser wrote: “The amount raised so far has been phenomenal and we cannot thank you enough. However, the reality is that the full cost of treatment is not yet known.
“This will only become clearer once Sharon begins consultations and a full care plan is confirmed.
“For that reason, we are asking people to continue sharing and engaging with the page. Every donation and every share is helping to bring Sharon closer to the treatment she urgently needs.
“We will continue to keep you updated on Sharon’s journey over the coming days and weeks.
“For now, we’re keeping everything crossed, lighting candles and holding onto hope.”
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