Irish mum with rare cancer raises €760k for treatment

'I feel so loved and proud of my country'

Sharon from Bohermeen, Co Meath, was diagnosed with stage 4 skull-based osteosarcoma in October 2025 and has since undergone chemotherapy, which unfortunately didn't prove successful.

Last week, a GoFundMe was launched to raise €650,000 for brain surgery in New York, with several Irish celebs showing their support for the initiative. In just a matter of days, the target was surpassed, with over €763,000 being donated for Sharon and her family.

Sharon has since shared an update and thanked everyone for helping her get to New York.

She said: "I would love to hug you and thank you all individually. This journey would not be possible without all of you. You have given me hope. Continue to keep me in your prayers.

"Leaving Ireland today, I felt so loved and proud of my country. Since the second the GoFundMe went out, people helped in every way they could, from donating, sharing, and making this trip as comfortable as possible. I will be forever thankful."

It was in October last year, while on maternity leave with her three-month-old daughter Sophie, that Sharon first began feeling unwell, initially dismissing her headaches as symptoms of an ear infection.

Family friend, Gearóid Rennicks told the Daily Mail that Sharon was due to have an operation in Ireland on March 18, however, it was called off the day before.

He said: "It was shocking, but in fairness, credit to Sharon, she's very proactive. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she went straight into solution mode, and that's what brought us then to contact hospitals around the world."

Sharon later identified a potential path forward at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, where doctors said they were optimistic about performing surgery.

However, treatment in the US comes at a high cost, prompting the family to launch a fundraiser on GoFundMe. They said they have been overwhelmed by the public response, though the total cost of treatment remains uncertain.

Gearóid continued: "[Sharon] just wants to see her nine-month-old daughter Sophie take her first step, say her first word.

"She just wants to see her kids grow up and see all the things that we all hope to see our kids do and that we would probably take for granted slightly, but she's just in a situation where that could be taken away from her."

Writing on Sharon’s GoFundMe page, her loved ones said: "Sharon is a 38-year-old wife, daughter, and sister, and most importantly, a devoted mother to three young children, Jack, aged six, Louis, aged four, and Sophie, who is just 9 months old.

"She is determined to do everything she can to be there to watch them grow up. Her family and friends are now urgently trying to raise the funds needed to make this surgery possible as quickly as possible. Time is critical.

"Every donation—no matter how big or small—will make a real difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us reach as many people as possible. We are incredibly grateful for any support you can give. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion."

Among the well-known supporters of Sharon’s fundraiser were celebrity photographer Jenny McCarthy, who has also undergone brain surgery, and her husband, television presenter Martin King.

"I normally NEVER ask for donations, but I’m praying you might help here if you can," Jenny wrote as she shared a link to the fundraiser.

Before long, the €650,000 target had been met, and the total eventually surpassed €763,000, with more than 17,000 people contributing.

Jenny continued: "This is Sharon, aged 38 yrs. I photographed her wedding and her beautiful children, too. Sharon has stage 4 Osteosarcoma of the skull.

"Unfortunately, she needs to get to NYC asap for treatment, as it hasn’t been possible here. Having been through 2 brain surgeries myself, I know how scary this is. Sharon wants to be here for her three babies."

You can donate to Sharon's GoFundMe here.