Northern Ireland

Cancer patient Shannon Whitehouse 'overwhelmed' by public response to fundraising drive

Co Tyrone woman Shannon Whitehouse is raising cash for a cancer charity after being given months to live
Co Tyrone woman Shannon Whitehouse is raising cash for a cancer charity after being given months to live Co Tyrone woman Shannon Whitehouse is raising cash for a cancer charity after being given months to live

A young woman with a rare form of cancer given months to live says she is "overwhelmed" by the public response to her plight.

Shannon Whitehouse (26) from Coalisland in Co Tyrone was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma last January.

Since then she had undergone an intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment to try and beat the cancer, which mostly occurs in young people and affects bones or the tissue around bones.

Despite the gruelling regime she was left “heartbroken” last Thursday when doctors told her the treatment has been unsuccessful and that she has only months to live.

Now in a selfless act Shannon has launched a drive to raise cash for The Boom Foundation, a charity which helps people with sarcoma.

After setting up a JustGiving page last week she has already raised £25,000 in donations.

Shannon last night said she has been inundated with calls from well-wishers since her story appeared in the Irish News yesterday.

“My phone has been blowing up,” she said.

“It has all been positive, so many messages of love and support.

“It is overwhelming, I can’t believe it, I’m in a state of shock.”

She appealed for people to continue donating to the worthy cause.

“Every penny counts, big or small, I appreciate everything.” she said.

Earlier this week Shannon said: “At the start I did not want to be known as the sick girl or a poster girl for cancer”.

“Because it’s so rare, if I don’t speak up who is going to do anything for it?

“A lot of people don’t know what sarcoma is.

“I just want to spread as much word as possible.”

A ‘Shine for Shannon’ fundraising event will be held this Saturday in Coalisland Parochial Hall.

The evening will include games, raffles and music. Proceeds will also go to The Boom Foundation.

Cash raised by The Boom Foundation is split between offering practical help and vital research.

To make a donation to Shannon’s JustGiving page visit justgiving.com/fundraising/shannon-whitehouse.