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Festive season support sees lifesaving bid fund race towards £60,000

Thursday, 5 January 2012

First man on the table at the waxing session held in aid of the Joe McGarrigle Stayin’ Alive Fund in Katy Daly’s was Stephen McGill, who was waxed by Emma Logue, from the Beauty Centre.

Money raised to fund vital treatment for ill Strabane man.

FUNDRAISING efforts to pay for vital lifesaving treatment for a Strabane man diagnosed with terminal cancer have been receiving widespread support from the local community over the festive period.
By the start of this week, donations for the Joe McGarrigle Stayin' Alive Fund had reached £57,000 as a result of the wide range of activities organised by the people of Strabane to aid one of their own - and his family predict that it will soon top £60,000. A specially dedicated Facebook page set up to highlight upcoming fundraising events has received more than 1,500 'likes'.
Mr McGarrigle (31) has been given less than a year to live, after he was diagnosed with the Nasopharyngeal strain of the disease.
This is his second battle with cancer following a diagnosis in January 2009, and comes on the back of the loss of his father to the disease in 2008.
However, his older brother, Sean McGarrigle, said that things were now looking "more positive" for the 31-year-old.
Speaking to the Strabane Weekly News yesterday (Tuesday) morning, Sean said that his brother's initial tumour had shrunk by between 60 to 70 per cent, adding that he had responded well to his second batch of chemotherapy.
Overwhelmed
Sean said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response of the local community to our appeal. It has been unbelievable, we couldn't have asked for any more.
“Joe started his second batch of chemotherapy on Friday and he was sick for a day or two, but not as bad as during his first batch. He'll be going back to the hospital for an x-ray in three weeks' time, and we'll get the results on that day.
“Everything has been positive so far. The initial tumour has shrunk, which means that the prognosis is not as urgent as it was. This has given us more time to assess all the medical documents before making a decision regarding treatment.
“However, there is always the chance that the tumour could increase."
Over the holiday season, the campaign to raise money for Joe's treatment got into full swing locally, much to the delight of members of his family.
On Christmas morning, three local men - community worker Paul Gallagher, Steven Crotty and Pat McElroy - raised an impressive £1,500 for the fund by jogging the 14 miles from the Peace Bridge in Londonderry back to Strabane.
As well as a series of charity bag packs and collections both in Strabane and Londonderry since the creation of the fund, last week saw three major fundraising events held locally.
Concert
A 'Stayin' Alive' concert featuring acts from across the north west took place on Tuesday last, with a Strictly Jigs and Reels competition, organised by Niamh McGranaghan and Raymond Barr, in the Den at the Melmount Centre on the following evening.
Then, a night of waxing, head shaving, jelly wrestling and a 'Stars in Their Eyes' contest, organised by Martin French, Baz Dunne, Carolyn Brennan and Penny McGonagle, was held in Katy Daly's on Friday.
The fundraising activities for Mr McGarrigle's treatment will continue well into the New Year. In January alone, three events have been confirmed so far - a 'Last Man Standing' event organised by Gavin McCay on Saturday, January 14, a charity quiz in the clubrooms of Owen Roe O'Neill's GFC, Leckpatrick on Saturday, January 20 and a 'Night at the Races' in Christy's Bar on Friday, January 27.
February will see a guest tea fundraiser, with music afterwards, to be held in the Den at the Melmount Centre, which is being organised by Noel McGinley.
Meanwhile, Alex Curry at NMT Injury Clinic is offering gift vouchers normally worth £25, with all monies going towards the Stayin' Alive Fund. For £10, you'll get 45 minutes to one hour injury treatment or a full body massage. The vouchers will be valid for the course of 2012. For further information, contact Alex on 07731 519975.
Also, Kevin Connolly will be running the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday, May 27, with all proceeds going to the fund.
For further details about the campaign and forthcoming events, check out the Joe McGarrigle Stayin' Alive Fund Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/joemcgarriglestayingalive
(See concert pics on page 16 of this week's issue of Strabane Weekly News)

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