Family seeks financial support after father of two young girls diagnosed with multiple cancers

THE family of a father of two young girls has just set up a GoFundMe page, looking for financial support while he is in hospital and is too sick to work while he receives cancer treatment.

Wederson Costa’s prognosis is poor, having primary bowel cancer, secondary liver cancer and metastasized tumors spread throughout his body. His wife and children spend six to eight hours a day with him at the hospital and are struggling to make ends meet.

Wederson (39) said he has “always been a healthy man” but after suffering from intense back pain, he went to see a doctor who prescribed him strong medications. Then on a weekend trip to Portugal, he became very unwell and was hospitalised. Unfortunately, he received the devastating news that he had cancer.

As soon as he returned to Ireland, Wederson was admitted to Waterford University Hospital and he has remained there for the two months since then.

He is a graphic designer, commercial agent and machine operator based in Bagenalstown. Originally from Brazil, he moved to Portugal 14 years ago and settled in Ireland a year and a half ago.

Wederson is an adventurous person, “full of energy” and loves travelling. He adores his two daughters, Alicia aged 8 and Liz aged 5, and is a “caring husband” to Fernanda.

His mother rushed over to support the family and will stay in Ireland for a couple of months to help. As for his wife, Fernanda, “she has been fighting like a warrior to keep us standing”, said Wederson.

He also said the staff at the Waterford hospital have been “truly excellent,” and thanked all the people who are “with us in this battle.” “As exhausting and difficult as it is, I feel deeply supported, stronger and more determined to fight. I truly understood that life is a breath. I want to be able to fight to live and to be with my family; I want to see my daughters grow up,” said Wederson.

He and his wife have set up a GoFundMe page to support the family with rent, childcare, and bills. You can donate through this link: https://gofund.me/91c3445d5