Put your SHIRT on Molly’s campaign

DUBLIN GAA supporters are being urged to back a campaign to help raise funds for an ill Northside child.

In October 2013, Molly McNally, from Balbriggan, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer of the nervous system.

Over the past 20 months, Molly, who will turn seven in August, has received intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in a bid to beat the life-threatening illness.

Shortly after her parents Gerry and Emma received the devastating news, the Molly McNally Miracle Trust was founded to raise funds for her treatment.

The response from local communities has been fantastic with numerous charity events taking place around Dublin and beyond.

Molly’s courageous story has also touched the hearts of the Dublin GAA players and she is a regular visitor to Croke Park to watch the Boys in Blue in action.

As part of the campaign to raise vital funds for Molly, Dublin supporters are now being encouraged to post a selfie in their Dublin jersey on Facebook and donate to the Trust by texting MOLLY to 57802. The cost is

?¬2.

Following Dublin’s Leinster final win over Westmeath, Molly met up with members of the senior panel during a special

‘Meet and Greet’ at the Gibson Hotel. The event was held to give GAA fans from the Docklands an opportunity to meet the players.

Nicky Logue, general manager of the Gibson Hotel, said they were delighted to team up with Dublin GAA to host the special event.

“The players have generously donated their time to meet young GAA fans and players in the local community and share their top footballing tips and love of the game,

? said Mr Logue.

“It was particularly special to once again meet Molly McNally and her family. She really is a courageous and inspiring young lady and, of course, Dublin GAA’s number one fan!

“I would urge everyone to please support her campaign.

?

Dublin manager Jim Gavin said the team was delighted to support the

‘Meet and Greet’ and also Molly’s campaign.

“Molly McNally is an inspirational young Dublin girl who holds a special place in the hearts of the players and we as team are delighted to support any event that drives awareness of her campaign.

?

Meanwhile, Molly is currently undergoing immunotherapy at St John’s Ward in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to help fight cancer.

The treatment, which is expected to last for approximately six months, will take place in cycles and will see Molly spend time in hospital, taking medication at home, and there will be rest periods in between.

The treatment involves Molly being given daily injections and an infusion of antibodies around the clock, but the downside is that she will have to contend with a lot of side effects.

To combat the pain these drugs cause, Molly will be put on morphine and antihistamines during this period of treatment.

Molly’s mum Emma said:

“As this is a trial, we’ve entered the world of the unknown again so we need to just take one step at a time.

“Please keep Molly in your thoughts. We all know how brave she is but she is also just a little girl fighting a huge battle.

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For more information on Molly’s fundraising campaign, visit www.facebook.com/mollymcnallymiracletrust. We’d ask our readers to get involved.