Six-hour journey for Clare mum to get through snow for radiotherapy

A YOUNG local mum battled through snow and slush for six hours for her radiotherapy treatment in Cork on Sunday.

Rachael Whitehead, aged 31, from Clonlara, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of brain and spine cancer.

Her mum, Louise, has set up a GoFundMe page to help fund her daughter’s expenses.

Louise gave an update on Monday to say Rachael and partner Alan Kennedy will never forget the journey to Cork.

“They battled through the snow and slush to get back down to Cork. They were held up outside Charleville for three hours due to hazardous driving conditions and maniacs speeding.

 “There were cars turned upside down on the side of the road. They made it safely at 8.30pm after leaving home at 2.30pm - as if things aren’t worrying enough for her,” said Louise, who added that Rachael is the “bravest person I know”.

The grandmother said her family have been left devastated by her 31-year old daughter Rachael’s recent diagnosis.

“Her whole life was just opening up for her and she and her partner Alan were looking forward to saving and hopefully getting a home of their own. 

“We don’t want any stress or financial worries for Rachael and we know there is going to be a lot of expenses involved in her treatment.

“The reason I started the GoFundMe page is that Rachael is not yet entitled to social welfare because she was training as a nurse - so she has no stamps. She is not entitled to any pay from work because she had not enough time worked up as she had been on probation period when she started off,” said Louise.

Over €24,000 has been donated since she started the fundraiser in November. If you would like to donate please go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/princess-rachael

Rachael, mum of six-year-old Leo, began six weeks of intense radiotherapy at the Bons Secours Hospital in mid-December.

Rachael had just started working as a midwife when she was given her diagnosis. She attended hospital when one of her legs became painful and numb.

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The mum was immediately transferred to Cork University Hospital where she underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour on the base of her brain. However, doctors also discovered a number of tumours on her spine and Rachael underwent surgery on her spine.

“It’s a very rare sarcoma. The doctors actually don't know what sarcoma it is so it is full steam ahead now with radiotherapy, five days a week for six weeks,” said Louise, who calls Racheal her princess and a “true warrior”.

She wanted to thank everyone who had already donated to theGoFundMe page, surgeons in Cork  for what they had already done for her daughter, and the charity Bru Columbanus which provided accommodation for the family while Rachael underwent surgery.