The family of the "kindest and most genuine" Dublin man have rallied together to get him lifesaving treatment in Mexico after doctors said he had just months to live.
Dublin 15 native Andrew O'Reilly, aged 42, was first diagnosed with stage two esophageal cancer last May but thought he was in the clear after going through chemotherapy and an operation to remove the tumour.
Unfortunately, the father-of-three's cancer has now spread to his lungs and stomach. Doctors have told the Dubliner, who recently became a grandad, that he has a couple of months to a year to live with treatment.
Read more: Brave Dublin girl, 12, 'still smiling' despite losing four limbs in harrowing Strep A battle
Speaking to Dublin Live, Andrew's sister Maria Lappin said his diagnosis last May came "completely out of the blue" as he was "healthy and fit".
"One day he just couldn't swallow his food anymore," she said. "They did a couple of tests and said he had cancer. It was a massive, massive tumour and he was really sick.
"They said they could do some chemo and try shrink it to get him into surgery. He did the chemo all through the summer and was very sick during it. We got to November and he had the operation.
"The professor said it was successful and they were able to remove the tumour and lymph nodes around it and that they'd see him back in January."
Andrew and his family believed all was well but then he became ill again and was diagnosed with stage four cancer last week. Maria said: "Basically, (the cancer) had spread to his stomach and his lungs. They have given him a couple of months to live or a year with treatment.
"It's just horrific. He was literally perfect one day and now this."
Maria explained that five years ago, both their parents devastatingly died at ages 56 and 61. They both died from cancer within a couple of weeks from each other.
"They got told the news but they didn't have any time, they were gone within weeks. This time I feel like we have to fight for him. I have found help for him abroad in Mexico. There are no options for him in this country.
"I set up a GoFundMe on Monday just gone to raise €60,000. The treatment is €55,000 and then there's the airfare. I'm not asking for anything more."
Maria said that Andrew, he has also been fostering children for the past 15 years, is the "kindest person you will come across."
"It's just horrific. I know I'm biased because he's my brother but he is the most genuine person you'd meet. He so deserves a chance at this."
So far the GoFundMe has raised over €19,000 of it's €60,000 goal. The family will also be hosting a charity day at Divine Styles Clonee on April 3.
Attendees will be able to get their hair done, enter a bumper raffle and buy from a cake sale with all proceeds going towards Andrew's treatment.
If you could like to make a donation to Andrew's fundraiser, click here.
READ NEXT:
No homes to rent for those facing eviction, homeless charity says
- 'Exhausted' elderly stray dog 'slept for two days' after being rescued by DSPCA
- DSPCA seeks owner of Giant Flemish Rabbit brought to their shelter
- Electric shock warning as popular Harvey Norman travel adapter recalled
Redeveloped Crumlin Shopping Centre could become a 'hive of activity'
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
