Retired GP to travel for screening

Retired GP Dr Susan Cosnett will travel to Holland next week for screening to receive Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) treatment.

A 'Seisiún for Susie' took place last Friday (October 11) in Ballyconnell, part of an ongoing fundraising effort for the mother of three to receive treatment for a rare form of Acral Malignant Melanoma.

Dr Cosnett (62) is trying to raise €173,000 for the treatment. The tally is currently upwards of the €154,000 mark.

The latest fundraiser, which took place outside SuperValu in the shopping centre where Susan and her husband Dr Greg Cosnett once worked, raised €3,850.

The event featured music from local Comhaltas groups and Irish singer songwriter Brendan McCahey, who was crowned winner of series three of the talent competition The Voice of Ireland.

“We worked there, that’s the place of our memories where Greg and I loved it.

“We were living and working there for so long that it was unreal to see that all happening in that space.

“It was just so beautiful, I was in tears on Friday evening, I couldn't go down but I was talking to them,” says Susan, who is currently isolating.

“The music was great, everything was lovely.

“Little kids who were born under my care with t-shirts with my name on them, it was the most amazing thought,” she describes.

Susan revealed how she has transferred “the best part of” €100,000 into the Antoni Van Leeunhoek hospital’s account for her treatment.

“I wouldn’t be doing this privately, I wouldn’t have had enough,” she said, sincerely thanking those who have donated to the cause to date.

“I haven’t made the full amount yet for the TIL but they’re allowing me to pay more of it in November.

“I’m confident that we’re getting there.

“There was no hope last summer, the consultant shook her head and said 'sorry there’s no treatment left in Ireland, no sensible treatment left'.

“The immunotherapy didn’t work for me at all.”

Susan is hopeful once again.

“It’s great to have hope, that something could possibly work, to me it’s like going to the moon.”

“It’s that modern, it’s the frontier of medicine what they’re going to do.”

She's grateful to all those who have supported her too.

“My community has shown me such love and support,” she said, adding that they have given her “the choice to try this therapy”.

“They’ve given my children and my husband hope, we have spent the last six months smiling, positive, talking about it, not crying, thinking yes there’s something, we’re going to do something amazing.

“I was very afraid and I’ve learned that I have to hold on tight, I’m like somebody on a life raft and I can’t lose my head now, I have to keep my head.

“I’m only going for one step at a time and I’m focusing on that.”

Those wishing to donate to the fundrasier can do so via GoFundMe.