Major fundraiser launched to help Offaly man fighting rare form of cancer

Family and friends of an Offaly man have launched a major fundraiser for a father of two who is battling a rare form of cancer. 

The fundraising efforts are on behalf of well-known chef Pat Kelly who has been ill for a number of years. 

On the fundraising page, the organisers say: "Pat has been battling cancer for the past four years, and as you can imagine this has taken its toll on the family - and we are now fundraising to help support the family by holding a Benefit Night on 17th February in Ballycumber Community Centre".

47-year-old Pat, son of Fossy and the late Mary Jo (Lynam), is described as a popular and well-liked person. He is a well-known chef, having previously worked in the Bridge House, Tullamore, Hiney's, Ferbane, and even ran his own cafe for a while in Clara. For the past 18 years, he has been working in Scally's Centra in Tullamore. Pat is married to Sandra (Dunne), and they have two teenage children - Cillian, 17, and Megan, 13.

"In 2019, Pat was complaining with a pain in his foot. Whilst attending the hospital in Tullamore, he was referred to Vincent's Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer - Ewing Sarcoma. Following the diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy and subsequently had surgery to remove half of his foot. This was followed by more chemotherapy and radium. He then attended Cappagh Hospital to have a special shoe fitted to support his balance," the fundraising organisers say. 

However, in 2021, the cancer reoccurred, this time in his lungs. Once again, he had to undergo chemotherapy sessions and six and a half weeks of radium in St. James Hospital. Despite a small respite, in 2023, the cancer came back again in his lungs and also on his side.

During this time, he was being monitored closely, and in August, he became very ill and was rushed to Tullamore Hospital and transferred to Beaumont Hospital - where he was diagnosed with two brain tumours. Pat had to have brain surgery twice in the space of one week - and had both tumours removed. Since then, he has had six more cycles of chemotherapy and two and a half weeks of radium in St. James. As of the end of November, Pat is being closely monitored and put on long-term palliative maintenance.

The Kelly family are no strangers to cancer, the organisers outline. Back in 2013, Pat's wife Sandra was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to have three-quarters of her colon removed. In 2017, she was diagnosed with the BACCA-2 gene, which resulted in her having a double mastectomy, a hysterectomy, and reconstruction. Sandra, thankfully, recovered and is doing well.

"Throughout all of this, Pat and his family remain upbeat and strong – Pat continues to be in good form, always with a smile on his face. But as you can imagine all of this has taken its toll on Pat and his family, both emotionally and financially. For the best part of the last four years, they have incurred loss of earnings, and this has been countered with numerous vital trips for hospital appointments and treatments, whilst also running a house and ensuring their two teenage children have as normal a life as possible.

"Pat's siblings and extended family have helped them financially, but it's just not enough, as they are struggling with every day running costs and the additional costs associated with his hospital treatments. As Pat is unlikely to return to work for the foreseeable future, his family and friends have decided to organise this Benefit Night to help Pat and his family through this difficult time and the months ahead," their supporters said. 

They have set up an idonate page for anyone who can't attend the Benefit Night but would like to support Pat and his family. You can donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/ crowdfunder/ patkellyandfamilybenefitfund

All money raised from both fundraisers will go direct to Pat and his family.