Crosserlough to host 5k walk/run for Louise

Crosserlough GAC is getting behind one of its biggest supporters by hosting a fundraiser for a local woman diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The club is organising a fundraising 5k walk/run for Louise O’Reilly. It will start from the GAA Clubrooms at 12 noon this Sunday, September 3, with donations voluntary.

A popular hairdresser, Louise worked in The Hair Care Centre in Ballyjamesduff for over 17 years and is mum to nine-year-old son Lucas.

Her sister and friend Tracey Galligan is leading the fundraising efforts locally with close to €40,000 already raised on gofundme.

“She was always outgoing, a bubbly character, massive into football,” Tracey previously told the Celt.

“She supports Crosserlough, Cavan, we would have attended every game and we still do. We need that in our lives!”

In late 2021, five months after first noticing blisters in her mouth, studies and tests at Beaumont Hospital concluded Louise had contracted MND at just 39 years of age.

“It changed all of our lives. Unfortunately everything was turned upside down,” recalled Tracey.

“She’s the third person within a mile of three houses to be diagnosed in the last seven years. It’s very strange,” added Lousie’s concerned sister.

“There’s more and more [people] in Ireland being diagnosed with it every year.”

The news for the family came about a week before RTE’s Charlie Bird shared his experience on The Late Late Show.

“In a way that helped us, listening to his story.”

The disease progressed from the head down to the rest of her body, eventually leaving Louise wheelchair bound.

“We can just see a massive difference in Louise, nearly every week there’s something different.”

Her saving grace through her struggles has been a new technology known as smart box, which Louise received last year allowing her to communicate with her family again.

“It has been a new lease of life for Louise to communicate with us,” Tracey said, explaining that it is a tablet on a stand, which speaks for her.

“As you can imagine losing your voice and being silent 24/7, it’s very hard on her and very hard for everyone coming to see her.”

The family has found a trial in Australia, which they hope Louise will be eligible for.

“No one has a cure for it but, to slow down the progression, is what our main aim is,” said Tracey.

“We just have to keep hopeful and pray that something will work.”

Louise’s son Lucas is a massive support to his mother: “He understands what’s happening, he’s very good to her and knows exactly what she wants.”

Tracey set up the online fundraiser earlier this month in order to raise money to go towards sending Louise for trials, as well as to cover medical appointments and a wheelchair accessible van.

“It will just take a bit of stress off Louise and the family,” said Tracey.

The online fundraiser has generated close to €38,000.

Donations can be made here: https://gofund.me/aec6b8c6

It’s hoped the walk/run organised by Crosserlough GAC this weekend will get the fundraiser closer to its €50,000 target.

Please come out and support this very worthy local cause.