The family of a young GAA star have been blown away by the response to a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising funds to support their 14-year-old daughter's cancer diagnosis.
Emma Langan, a third-year student in Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina, Co Mayo, was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year.
It's the second time in recent years that the family have been affected by illness after Emma's mum, Yvonne, sadly passed away in 2019.
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A GoFundMe post reads: "Emma Langan is a 3rd year student in Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina, Co Mayo.
"Emma is 14 years old and has been diagnosed with leukaemia in recent days.
"Emma will have to undergo treatment over the next few months and it will be a long tough road to recovery.
"This is the second time in a short number of years the Langan family have been affected by illness, as Emma's mum Yvonne passed away in July 2019.
"We as a community want to show our support towards Emma and her family financially. All money raised will go towards any expenses Emma and her family may have over the course of Emma's treatment plan.
"Emma has a love and a massive passion for Gaelic football. Emma played on the U14 Mayo Team and currently plays for the U16 St Brigid's Team.
"We are organising a friendly game between St Brigid's (Emma's team) and Mchale Rovers (Emma's school friends) (date to be confirmed) there will be a bucket on the gate for anyone who can not use the gofundme page, refreshments on the day.
"Emma is a very special girl to us all and all donations no matter how big or small are greatly appreciated".
The fundraiser has since surpassed all expectations, having exceeded its goal of €10,000 enormously.
Over €96,000 has been raised to date for the family as the local community banded together to show their support.
Thanking those who have contributed so far, Emma's sisters said in an update: "As Emmas sisters, we can not even begin to express how grateful we are for every single person's generosity that we have seen over the past 24 hours and for the amount of ongoing support both our family and Emma have been receiving.
"The kindness that we have been shown over the last number of days is beyond what we were ever expecting.
"This has relieved a massive amount of pressue for both our family and of course, Emma.
"It has allowed us to place all of our focus solely on getting Emma on the road to recovery and back onto the football pitch.
"Emma starts her treatment tomorrow and is going into it with nothing but positivity and a strong mind.
"On behalf of our dad, he would like to express his sincere gratitude to everyone who has shown support by calling, messaging and donating anything big and small during this time."
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.
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