Limerick woman raises more than five times her fundraising target for cancer services
The Bruff native now living in Bulgaden raised €27,000 for cancer services in the Mid-West
A BRUFF native has raised more than five times her fundraising target for cancer services in the Mid-West.
Sandra Cronin, living in Bulgaden with her husband and three children, presented a cheque for €27,000 along with a commissioned artwork to the oncology day unit and breast unit in University Hospital Limerick.
With more experience than many of the cancer support services in the Mid-West, the Cronin and O’Shea families have been hit three times by cancer.
Her late father Seán O’Shea passed away in 2018 and her mother Claire passed away in 2025.
Seán had been diagnosed with lung cancer, which travelled to his brain. He died on October 5, 2018.
Her mother Claire got sick in 2019, went through treatment for breast cancer and went on to get diagnosed with lung cancer before passing away on January 16, 2025.
Sandra Cronin herself got sick in 2023 and was diagnosed with breast cancer, which has become metastatic and is now in advanced stages.
Mrs Cronin is coping with her diagnosis and treatment with the support and help from her husband Bob and her three boys.
This was her way of paying tribute to her parents and giving back on behalf of her whole family.
“These units are invaluable to everyone who has to use them and I just wanted to give something back from our family,” she said.
A bespoke artwork by Clare Hartigan was also presented and is now on permanent display in the waiting area of the Mid-Western Cancer Centre.
‘The Boreen’ represents each individual cancer journey, while offering solace, comfort and hope to the patients, their families and visitors who need it most.
Mrs Cronin told the Limerick Leader previously: “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.”
In October of last year, Mrs Cronin held a disco bingo night fundraiser in Bulgaden Castle.
She retired early from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) after 26-years service and got a fitting send-off, while her late mother also worked at the hospital.
“I had always planned on retiring after forty 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 in Bulgaden, the venue was a sea of pink, as people donned the requested colour to celebrate the night with vibrancy and enthusiasm.
The amount raised far exceeded the original fundraising target of €5,000 and the funds will be split between the two units.