Northern Ireland

Co Down man (33) who fought rare and life-threatening condition put up an `inspiring fight'

Alan McDonald, who was 33 and from Newcastle in Co Down, passed away at Craigavon Area Hospital on January 21
Alan McDonald, who was 33 and from Newcastle in Co Down, passed away at Craigavon Area Hospital on January 21 Alan McDonald, who was 33 and from Newcastle in Co Down, passed away at Craigavon Area Hospital on January 21
By Marie Louise McConville

A CO Down man who was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening condition when he was in New Zealand, leading to more than £80,000 being raised to bring him home, has died.

The family of Alan McDonald said they had been left "heartbroken" by the loss of the 33-year-old, who passed away in Craigavon Area Hospital.

The Newcastle man was last year diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare kidney disease.

Living at the time in Christchurch in New Zealand, he had been unwell before his health deteriorated. At the time, he needed urgent hospital care before his family could even consider flying him home.

His sister, Anna Poland, who's husband is Down footballer Conor Poland, launched a GoFundMe fundraiser online, which meant her sibling could access drug treatment, which cost £10,000 per dose.

Through the online fundraiser, more than £80,000 was raised. This helped fly Mr McDonald, who was married, home last summer with the medical support he needed for the long-haul flight back to Northern Ireland.

He passed away peacefully on January 21 at Craigavon Area Hospital.

His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media with one post describing him as a "gentleman" and another saying he had put up an "inspiring fight".

Anna Poland said the family had been left "heartbroken" by the death of her 33-year-old brother, Alan McDonald
Anna Poland said the family had been left "heartbroken" by the death of her 33-year-old brother, Alan McDonald Anna Poland said the family had been left "heartbroken" by the death of her 33-year-old brother, Alan McDonald

Another post read: "I worked with Alan in New Zealand. Alan was a great guy liked by all he had a great sense of humour. You have every reason to be very proud of him. He will be missed by us all here in NZ."

A large crowd of mourners gathered on Friday at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Newcastle for Requiem Mass. Burial took place in St Patrick's Cemetery in Bryansford.

Speaking to The Irish News, Anna Poland said the family had been left "heartbroken" by the death of her only sibling.

"The support that he received from everyone throughout his illness was almost overwhelming and Alan always said that when he was well enough he wanted to thank every single person who helped out," she said.

"It meant so much to him and to all of us. He was loved by so many and we take great comfort from that."