Limerick family hit three times by cancer fundraising for a cause close to their hearts

A FUNDRAISER for the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation, is a cause very close to the organiser's heart.

Sandra Cronin from Bruff, living in Bulgaden with her young family, is holding a Disco Party Bingo night in Bulgaden Castle on October 18, with doors open at 8pm.

It's in memory of her father Seán O’Shea, who passed away in 2018, and her mother Claire, who passed away in January of this year. Both had different forms of cancer.

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Sandra Cronin herself got sick two years ago in 2023, and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her cancer has now become metastatic and is in advanced stages, having spread to her bones.

Mrs Cronin is a mother to three boys and said that with them and the support from her husband Bob, they want to give back to the cancer foundation, which has given her family so much.

“They helped us to help the kids understand what my diagnosis means. We just get on with it - I try to always have a smile on my face, there’s no point in moping or looking for sympathy.

“I want to spend my time enjoying myself and enjoying my time with family.”

Mrs Cronin retired early from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) after 26-years service and got a lovely send off, while her late mother also worked at the hospital.

“I had always planned on retiring after 40 years’ service, as Mam and Dad both got sick in retirement, but I now want to make the most of my time,” she told the Limerick Leader.

On the night of the Disco Bingo, Mrs Cronin is urging people to wear pink and wants Bulgaden Castle to be a “sea of pink”, while anyone who cannot attend can support the fundraiser online through GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/sandras-stand-against-breast-cancer) where she is very close to achieving her €5,000 target and that will remain active for the month of October.