Midlands boy subject of viral €330,000 fundraiser gets date for US surgery
Join Together for Joey swept the country with over €300,000 raised for little Joey Conway in a matter of weeks
The Join Together for Joey fundraiser has given a hopeful update to followers after Offaly boy Joe Conway received a date for surgery in the US.
Tullamore boy Joey was the subject of a huge fundraiser over the New Year period as parents Natalie and Tommy tried desperately to get their little boy a chance at life.
Joey was diagnosed with Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT), which has led to a serious and rare condition Non-cirrhotic Portal Hypertension. Portal Hypertension has life-threatening symptoms and the risk of death is 40% on a first episode of bleeding. The bleeding comes from varices that develop in his oesophagus so he will either bleed from his mouth or through his nappies.
A surgery in the US could save him and with huge local and national support, the family raised the required €330,000 through a GoFundMe page over the last few weeks.
In a new update, Natalie and Tommy confirmed that Joey had received a date for surgery in the US in April and that the family would be going over in March so Joey can undergo pre-op testing.
"This is the start for Joey and this is feeling real for us with a mountain to climb in Chicago in April. Joey is a trooper and will get through whatever is thrown at him," they said.