Lucy, age 9, receives medical card…

Having applied for a medical card in Sept 2014, when Lucy was diagnosed with cancer age just 8 years old.

In January 2015 she was refused a medical card
In February 2015 her appeal was turned down for a medical card.

She has now been awarded a medical card, she is 9 years old.

We hope no family, facing a diagnosis of cancer for their child, have to face the path of having little choice but to go public, at one of the most difficult times of their life. 

We take comfort that as a result of us going public with Lucy’s case, no child or adult will have to pay for a wig during treatment, this was due to us highlighting Lucy’s case in the media.

We would like to thank all of the journalists and radio presenters for treating Lucy’s case with such humility,
we would like to say a special thanks to Aidan Cooney, from TV3, for highlighting Lucy’s case.

The team in Newstalk, especially Jonathan Healy and his team, RTE Radio, Irish Independent, Evening Hearld, Irish Mirror, Irish Mail on Sunday.

A special mention also to Shane Beatty in Kildare FM, Ciara Kelly & Mairia Cahill from the Sunday Independent and all of the media who helped cover Lucy’s story! 

Michael Martin TD, raised Lucy’s case in the Dáil, he has worked behind the scenes for her appeal and asked for no thanks, but regardless of political party, it was humility that was needed in Lucy’s case and we are very appreciative of his effort.

Many TD’s contacted us directly to help and we appreciate it all, I feel that I have held my dignity and not turned this into a political battle, it’s the process that needs to change for future cases.
The public support has been fantastic, I have been blown away by so much support, the cards posted to the hospital from people I have never met, your kindness as an Irish nation knows no bounds x 
Thank you for supporting such a brave beautiful girl, who continues to fight Cancer today, she has a long road ahead, a battle no parent would choose for their child 😞

So thank you x x #isuppportlucy ❤️

Lucy refused discretionary medical card at appeal process

Thank you all so much for your support, 5 weeks ago, we made the decision to go public, on the refusal of Lucy access to a discretionary medical card for the duration of her treatment for cancer, she was diagnosed with cancer in Sept 2014, we appealed this decision to the HSE.
During this time, we have not commented further on any press in relation to this story, I feel that we have remained dignified in every aspect of this appeal.
Today, I received a phone call to say this appeal has been unsuccessful, this is despite having to submit further medical reports on Lucy’s medical condition, we were only looking for a medical card for the duration of her treatment for cancer, which will be for another full year at least.
I don’t really know what to say, I have been offered at least 50 medical cards from people, fundraisers everything, but all we every wanted was to have her medical expenses covered during this time, thank you again for your support,

kind regards,
Angela (Lucy’s mum)

How life has changed…

I wonder some days, today was rough, tough and just plain down right awful😞
Lucy rarely cries, in fact I probably cry more in private than she does
But today she sobbed and sobbed and then hit me with the question..
Why did I get Cancer mom?