A Dublin family is staring down the kind of heartbreak most people could not imagine once, never mind twice.
In January 2025, Sinéad Lynch was told she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Without treatment, doctors warned she might not be alive by April.
She is a devoted mother to four young children.
Three years ago, those same children lost their father, Philip, to cancer after he spent his final five months in hospital.
Now, as a family still carrying that grief, they are confronting another devastating diagnosis.
Friends say the pain is almost impossible to comprehend. After everything they have already endured, the family are once again fighting for time together.
Despite the odds, Sinéad has refused to give up.
A strong and positive person, Sinéad continues to show courage, resilience and determination that inspires everyone around her.
She is currently undergoing gruelling chemotherapy while also investing in expensive monthly vitamins, herbal treatments and IV vitamin drips.
She is throwing everything she can at the illness in a bid to stay here for her children for as long as possible.
But that fight comes at a heavy cost.
This level of comprehensive care is enormously expensive, and Sinéad had to stop working the day she was diagnosed.
She is now surviving on a widow’s pension. Much of her savings has already been used to fund treatments and to create precious memories with her children while she can.
Her support network is strong emotionally but limited financially. Philip’s parents are deceased and Sinéad’s own parents are now in their 80s.
She is supported by an amazing sister, brother in law and a tight circle of friends, yet the financial burden is overwhelming.
In response, those friends have stepped in to help.
They have created a fundraising page on GoFundMe to ease the pressure on the family.
The aim is to allow Sinéad to continue accessing complementary therapies alongside her medical treatment, cover everyday family needs and, most importantly, focus on being present with her children and making memories together.
Her friends, who organised the appeal, said every gesture counts.
“Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a real difference.
“If you can’t donate right now, simply sharing this page would mean the world and help reach more people who might be able to support.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and love during this incredibly difficult time.”
Readers who would like to support Sinéad and her four children can find the page by searching Help Sinead Lynch Fight Cancer for Her 4 Kids on the GoFundMe site or by visiting https://gofund.me/c3dae5c1c