Football

Fundraising effort for Siobhan McCann to be stepped up in coming weeks

Siobhan McCann is hoping to raise £100,000 for a life-prolonging drug
Siobhan McCann is hoping to raise £100,000 for a life-prolonging drug Siobhan McCann is hoping to raise £100,000 for a life-prolonging drug

THE fundraising effort for county Down woman Siobhan McCann will be stepped up in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year Siobhan, from the St John’s club in Drumnaquoile, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Based in London at the time, where she played football for Dulwich Harps and did physio for county champions Fulham Irish, the 25-year-old returned home to receive treatment.

Siobhan is trying to raise £100,000 to pay for a drug called Bevacizumab (Avastin), which is not available on the NHS.

Already over £60,000 has been raised as clubs from London and across Down have been getting behind the campaign.

The gate from last night’s clash between St John’s and Longstone in Ballymartin will go towards the Siobhan McCann appeal fund, and the same will apply to the Down league games between RGU Downpatrick-Ballyholland in Kilcoo and Drumaness-Shamrocks on Sunday.

The following Saturday, October 13, there will be a special fundraising day at St John’s. This will include a coffee morning from 10am-1pm, a ladies’ sevens tournament beginning at 2pm and a night’s entertainment with live music, auctions, raffles and donations on the day.

On her fundraising page - gofundme.com/help-beat-siobhans-toughestopponent - Siobhan tells her story.

She said: “In May I went through 25 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and was due to have surgery on the 24th of July to remove the tumour but on the 18th of July I was hit with more devastating news that my previous treatment had not worked and my cancer had spread to my liver and surgery was no longer an option.

“Once we received the devastating news about the cancer having spread my family and friends have done all they can to research different treatments to prolong my life.

“After several consultations with my oncologist about a cancer treatment drug suitable, along with my current treatment, we decided the best option for me was a drug called Bevacizumab (Avastin).

“This cancer treatment drug will be an add-on to what I am currently receiving, which is not available on the NHS on the grounds that it is costly, therefore we have no alternative but to self-fund.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the prayers, love and support I have received since my devastating news.”