Little Caoimhe (6) raising money for cancer charity 

Little Caoimhe (6) is raising money for Cancer Fund for Children By Elizabeth Lee Carlow girl, Caoimhe Cullen, has been announced as a brand ambassador for this year’s Woodie’s Heroes campaign. Caoimhe, age six, is an ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children (CFFC). Caoimhe lives in Carlow with her mum and dad Clare and Daryl, and her sister Aoibheann.

In 2023, then four-year-old, Caoimhe complained of a tummy pain which her mum noted as “out of character”. Following a trip to the doctor in August 2023, the family received the life-changing news, that Caoimhe had a Wilms’ tumour on her kidney.

Caoimhe’s treatment then began soon after, leading to surgery to remove her kidney and tumour. Caoimhe’s treatment went well, and she proceeded to mark her all clear result by ringing the bell in Crumlin Children’s Hospital on 5 July 2024, marking the end of her cancer journey.

Caoimhe, a pupil at Gaelscoil Cheatharlach, Carlow, is the daughter of Clare née Minnock, and Daryl and is big sister to Aoibheann and Donnacha.

Caoimhe’s mum Clare recognises that the journey would have been so much harder without Cancer Fund for Children which helped the family with emotional support. Claire Kennelly, a Cancer Support Specialist helped Caoimhe learn mindfulness tools such as hot chocolate breathing which helped Caoimhe when it came facing injections as part of her treatment.

Reflecting on the journey Clare said: “We got phenomenal support from Cancer Fund for Children throughout Caoimhe’s treatment. It really helped us as a family to get through what was the darkest time in our lives and we’re blessed with the support we got. I would encourage everyone to support Woodie’s Heroes campaign as your donations will really make a difference to families like ours.” Now in its eleventh year, Woodie’s Heroes is the annual fundraiser in support of Irish children’s charities and this year Childline by ISPCC, Down Syndrome Ireland, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, and Cancer Fund for Children benefitted from the month-long campaign.

The Woodies Heroes campaign is still open for today, Friday and tomorrow, Saturday where you may give a donation in store at their shop in Hanover, Carlow.  You can show your support for the Cancer Fund For Children Charity by making a donation at https://cancerfundforchildren.com/donate/