“Sharon’s not looking to run a marathon, she wants to see her nine-month-old take their first steps, and to see all of her kids grow up”
Sharon, originally from Bohermeen near Kells, is a devoted mother to Jack, six, Louis, four, and baby Sophie who is just nine months old and is determined to do everything she can to be there to watch them grow up
Friends and family of a mum-of-three from Co Meath who is battling an “extremely rare and aggressive” form of cancer say they have been given a “massive lift” after more than €685k was raised in less than 48 hours so she could undergo life-saving surgery.
38-year-old Sharon Ball, from Bohermeen, was diagnosed with stage 4 skull-based osteosarcoma last October, and has since undergone chemotherapy which was unsuccessful.
Despite the news, Sharon and her family have refused to stop trying for help, and have since found the opportunity to have life-saving surgery in New York.
A GoFundMe page was set up only two days ago, and has since raised well over half a million euros, with celebrities such as Maura Higgins and Jenny McCarthy sharing the page.
Her close friend, Gearóid Rennicks, told the Irish Mirror that the donations have, “blown everyone away”.
Sharon Ball, 38
He said: “Everyone getting involved has given us a massive lift.
“It’s very hard to get your head around, and to think this money has been raised in such a short period of time.
“We’re all incredibly thankful to absolutely everyone who’s donated, it’s really shown the power of people when they come together.”
Gearóid has said Sharon’s form of bone cancer is extremely rare, and that it’s believed there are potentially around 200 undiagnosed cases across the world.
He continued: “She had bad headaches last October, and thought she had ear infections. But when she went to the doctors and got scans, it turns out she had osteosarcoma.”
Sharon Ball with her family
“In February the plan was to remove it and then to start chemo after her original operation. However, after two weeks they realised that the tumour wasn’t reacting, and when they’d scanned it had grown back to pre-operation size, which shows how aggressive it is.
“Only last week she was due to go to hospital to have the tumor removed. But she was told it was inoperable, and there was nothing that could be done in this country.”
“She’s got great willpower and determination. Sharon won’t take no for an answer. She contacted hospitals around the world to see if anyone could operate and try to remove it from her, and one in New York said it was something they could do.”
Sharon and her loving husband
Throughout the journey, Gearóid has said Sharon has remained positive despite facing many lows and she is determined to do everything she can to be there to watch her three children grow up.
“You hear that these journeys come with highs and lows, but to be honest there hasn’t been many highs for Sharon,” Gearóid told the Irish Mirror.
“The chemo didn’t work, and she was told that the tumour wasn’t operable.
“But now this is a big opportunity. She hasn’t sat and felt sorry for herself, she’s been looking for solutions.
“I’ve been saying Sharon’s not looking to run a marathon, she wants to see her nine-month-old take their first steps, and to see all of her kids grow up.”
With over €685,000 raised so far, the money will massively help Sharon in her journey to recovery.
However, Gearóid wanted to emphasise that there still isn’t a clear figure on how much the entire procedure will cost, and has continued to encourage people to donate to Sharon’s cause.
To donate to Sharon’s cause, click here.
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