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Joe McGarrigle Stayin’ Alive Fund racing towards £80,000

Thursday, 26 January 2012

A FUND set up to raise money to pay for vital lifesaving treatment for a Strabane man diagnosed with terminal cancer has now raised a total of £75,000 - and is expected to soon top £80,000!
Since it was set up before Christmas, the community in Strabane and across the north west has given its full support to the wide range of fundraising activities that have been organised in aid of the Joe McGarrigle Stayin' Alive Fund.
Mr McGarrigle (31) was 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 the overwhelming response to the setting up of the fund had "brought out the best in people".
Speaking to the Strabane Weekly News yesterday (Tuesday), Sean said that after 'a quiet few weeks' following Christmas, he expected the fundraising to go from strength-to-strength over the next month.
Responding well
In further positive news, Sean revealed that his brother was responding well to chemotherapy, with his tumour continuing to shrink during the last two batches.
“We were not expecting that, and it has bought us more time. In terms of how the cancer is going to be treated, we have narrowed it down to two options - proton therapy in Munich and photodensity light treatment in China.
“The most important thing is getting the right treatment for Joe. Without the fundraising that has been going on, we wouldn't be able to explore these options," he said.
Sean said that his family have been "overwhelmed" by the way that the whole town had come together in support of Joe, adding that it was offering people hope.
“Joe has been receiving letters from people who have suffered all kinds of misfortune saying that he's an inspiration to them."
With the fund now standing at £75,000, and soon expected to top £80,000, Sean said that there were even more events pencilled in over the next few weeks.
On Friday night, there will be a 'Night at the Races' at Christy's Bar, which has been organised by Raymond Barr and Niall Logue, while Joe's Bar is hosting a 25 Card Drive, the brainchild of Jim Hume and Anthony Cooke, which is due to start at 8pm.
Next Thursday (February 2), there will be a Rivermedia Quiz Night in the Arena 7, Letterkenny, and, on the following night, a guest tea fundraiser with music afterwards will be held in the Den at the Melmount Centre in Strabane.
Strabane Ethnic Community Association (SECA) has also organised a fundraising coffee morning on Tuesday, February 7, between 10am and 12 noon in Strabane Caring Services' cafe.
Sponsored canoe
Then, on Saturday, February 11, a sponsored canoe from Strabane to Derry has been organised by Laura McCready.
The fundraising activities will continue apace with a spectacular Strictly Come Dancing Valentine's Ball in St Pat's Hall in Strabane, which is being organised by Geraldine McElroy. There will be champagne for everyone on arrival and music is being provided by Bliss.
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

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