Over €39k raised for Offaly woman with Motor Neurone Disease

A whopping €39,000 has been raised to support Offaly woman Kathleen (Kay) Cullen who has been diagnosed with Bulbar Onset Motor Neurone Disease.

A GoFundMe page was recently set up by Kay's sister Sinéad to support Kay and her daughter Lúna (8) so that they don't have to worry about day-to-day expenses and can take some trips together while Kay is well enough to do so. The GoFundMe has a target of €50,000 and has received over 700 donations to date.

Sinéad Cullen said that many of Kay’s friends had asked how they could help her but due to the nature of the illness “the ways are limited” which is why she decided to set up the online fundraiser. She added that they are a “very close family” and are all “heartbroken” by the diagnosis.

Kay was initially diagnosed with a non-life threatening condition and then went without treatment for some time. Her condition first displayed itself in the form of slurred speech. She did not have any obvious physical symptoms below the neck for almost two years. Kay used to work as a carer, and before that as a teacher for kids with special needs.

Motor neurone controls muscle activities such as gripping, walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing. MND strikes people of all ages and currently there is no cure, however, symptoms can be managed to help the person achieve the best possible quality of life.

You can donate to the fundraiser here