Laois teen recovering from cancer gives thank you
There is happy news in a Laois town as a young girl announces her recovery from cancer.
Four years ago at the age of 11, Olivia Loj from Mountmellick began chemotherapy treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Now a student at Mountmellick Community School, she attends Mountmellick Family Resource Centre in the MDA in Irishtown, where two of the staff decided to start a fundraiser for her in 2022 that raised over €10,000.
It included donations from other children in the MYFRC, proceeds from a big community raffle of prizes donated by local businesses, a bingo held by Nuala Kelly, and €2,000 raised by World of Sparkles boutique.
This week, Olivia gave the good news via the MYFRC Facebook page.
"Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with my GoFundMe! Your generosity and support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. I am finally finished all my treatments and im cancer free and couldn't have done it without you. You all helped me so much on my journey and I really appreciate it and everything you done for me thank you everyone," she said.
The staff in the family resource centre have thanked everyone for their support, including Olivia and her family for allowing them to help her in such a public way.
"In 2019 one of our young people was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Olivia Loj who was 11 at the time. With the support of her family, Olivia began her fight against cancer. The Loj family are a very private family and never asked for support, but with a lot of persuasion from Amy and Niamhie, the Youth Workers in Mountmellick Youth & Family Resource Centre, they agreed to allow them to coordinate a fundraiser.
"The outpouring of donations and well wishes from our local Mountmellick Community, all ends of Ireland, across the sea to England and all the way to Australia was phenomal with a massive €10 ,527.40 euro being raised through various fund raising events organised by Amy and Niamhie, MYFRC Friday TEENS and our MYFRC SHAPES and FUN clubs. The Young People in MYFRC were phenomenal.
"Olivia and her family are fully aware that unfortunately not every families cancer journey has the same outcome as theirs.
"Olivia and her family want to pass on their sincere gratitude to everyone who helped them through their journey. Every well wish, Every prayer, Every Euro made such a difference in helping Olivia and her family through this tough time.
"After a tough battle so bravely fought Olivia is now 14 and thankfully in remission. Olivia would would like to send out this message to everyone who helped her on this journey," the MYFRC team said.
They gave their own inspirational message too.
"It might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever".