Abigail

Abigail was born on the 29th of September 2024, and 10 days later diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma – a childhood eye cancer with around 4 children per year being diagnosed in Ireland. As first-time parents this is something we never thought we would hear.

The following days were spent researching the disease and preparing for our return to Dublin.

We began Systemic Chemotherapy in Crumlin soon after when Abigail was only 2 weeks old. Each round was to be given over three days due to how small Abigail was.

Three weeks later we would travel to Birmingham Children’s Hospital – like so many other Irish families – to meet the team who would be leading Abigail’s treatment, as unfortunately these services are not available in Ireland.

Our first trip to Birmingham confirmed what we already suspected that Abigail’s left eye was going to be enucleated (removed). This was done 2 weeks before Christmas and Abigail got her “Special Eye” at just 10 weeks old.

We finished our 4th and final round of Chemo on the 17th of January 2025 and we are so proud of our tough little girl who is an amazing, strong willed, beautiful, courageous little fighter.

We still have a long road ahead of us travelling over and back to Birmingham for treatment, and close monitoring on a monthly basis. It is a world we never thought we would be a part of, but the fantastic supports available have helped us enormously on this journey.

John and Jayne Glynn have been amazing to our family since our initial call with John from Johns Ward in Crumlin and will continue to be a great help to us as we continue our travels to look after our baby girl.

Thanks again to The Gavin Glynn Foundation and all their donors in helping families like ours.

Ciarán, Ciara & Abigail