Toddler to start treatment in June

Two-year-old Ethan Tierney, who has a rare, life-threatening immune disease, has been given the all clear to undergo emergency treatment in England.

The Virginia toddler was diagnosed with Hyper IgM Syndromethat. It places him at high infection risk, cancer and mortality. Ethan will receive a much-needed bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy session in Newcastle this summer.

The toddler, who celebrated his second birthday in recent weeks, along with his parents Jacqui and David (Gowna), travelled over to the Great Northern Children’s Hospital in March so that Ethan could undergo assessments to determine his fitness for procedure.

The only known cure for Ethan’s illness is chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Treatment isn’t available in Ireland but is being delivered by the hospital in Newcastle where Ethan will undergo the necessary treatment from June 25 next.

It’s a development his mother has been waiting for since last December.

“He has been very well and continues to be, and we are absolutely delighted that he is fit and healthy enough to start his treatment in June,” continued Jacqui before adding that his siblings Rían, Cadáin, Freya and Bria are also very happy for their brother.

“The hospital only contacted us last week to inform us that he is starting his treatment on June 25 with tests; on July 2 he will undergo eight days of chemotherapy and, because he is doing so well, the hospital has committed to carrying out the transplant on July 10. Ethan is doing great, he is taking his medication and hasn’t been sick since he left Crumlin Hospital in January.”

Check-ups

And, even more heartwarming for the Tierneys is that this treatment will most likely cure their little boy and afford him the opportunity to live a normal, happy life.

“Post transplant Ethan will spend six months in Newcastle and, when the team is happy with his progress at that point, he will be discharged,” added Jacqui. “Then he will receive any checkups and tests he needs at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Ethan is due to start playschool next September and my hope for him now is that he will be able to do that, and please God, be like every other child in the playschool.”

Meanwhile, a gofundme initiative that aimed to raise €60,000 so the Tierney family can remain in Newcastle throughout Ethan’s six months stay at the hospital has exceeded the target by over €1,500. Jacqui and David are extremely grateful to all those who supported the cause.

“The generosity of people has been overwhelming and I want to take the opportunity to thank every person who made a donation and supported us in any way they could. We really do appreciate it,” concluded Jacqui.