A Lurgan teenager diagnosed with cancer is to ‘brave the shave’ to give back the the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast.
Fifteen-year-old Summer O’Brien, who lives at home with her mum Racheal and her six siblings, is described by the family as “just your typical teenager,” a girl who loves school, beauty and is “full of energy, sass and attitude”.
Just six weeks ago however, their lives were turned upside down when the Year 11 St Ronan’s College pupil was diagnosed with Stage-2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer after a number of appointments across four different hospitals.
Last week, Summer started her chemo treatment in the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast.
As a token of their appreciation for the staff, the family have decided to run a fundraiser night, where Summer will ‘brave the shave’ to raise money for the unit.
A Facebook page, ‘Summer’s Dreams’ has been set up by the family, alongside a JustGiving donation page, which has raised nearly £2,000.
The page reads: “As much as this has came with a massive shock to all of us we just can’t thank the Haemotology & Oncology ward in the RVH enough for everything they have done for us, they have been on the ball from the very start…
“Summer’s consultant Dr McCarthy, the amazing Shauna and all the staff there have been absolutely fantastic. It’s amazing what they do and the constant support they have shown us as a family so far in this awful hard time.
“So as a thank you and to show a token of our appreciation we have decided to run a fundraiser night.
“Summer has decided that she will be doing “Brave the shave” and shaving off all her hair to raise some money being the strong selfless girls that she is. All proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Unit in hope it helps them to help other family s like they have helped ours.”
An annual charity Santa’s Grotto in Kilwilkie is among the local organisations who have chipped in to help with Summer’s appeal.
In a post on Facebook, Conor Thompson said: “I have decided to slightly change the charity recently selected and give Summer all the support and fundraising made from Santa’s Grotto.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare getting news like this for a child so please folks come along to Santa’s Grotto North Lurgan, Kilwilkie Road, and help us raise as much as possible for Summer for her bravery.
The Grotto opens from 6.30pm to 8.30pm each evening from December 6.
You can find out more information about Summer’s journey by visiting the Summer’s Dream Facebook page here.
Click here to donate to Summer’s appeal on JustGiving.
