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Faversham schoolgirl Roisin Kelleher discovers mother Anntoinette and brother Cian are both matches for stem cell therapy

Roisin Kelleher’s efforts to fund her life-saving treatment have suddenly become a reality.

Roisin’s mother Anntoinette and brother Cian are both a match for her stem-cell treatment – meaning the operation can definitely go ahead.

The 19-year-old, of Whitstable Road, and her family, have arranged to travel to the Dominican Republic for the procedure on January 18 – and with a bit of luck she will be healthy enough to travel.

Roisin with her mother Anntoinette
Roisin with her mother Anntoinette

Roisin has been raising money to fund groundbreaking treatment for her cystic fibrosis, an illness she has had a strenuous battle with for her entire life.

“We just hope that Roisin will be healthy enough to make the flight as the lack of oxygen in the plane for nearly 10 hours could be dangerous for her” - Mum Anntoinette

The treatment isn’t available in Britain yet so she has to travel to a specialist doctor in the Dominican Republic.

Roisin is in and out of Kings Hospital at the moment so wasn’t available for comment but Anntoinette said: “It is absolutely fantastic and we are all thrilled.

“We just hope that Roisin will be healthy enough to make the flight as the lack of oxygen in the plane for nearly 10 hours could be dangerous for her.”

Although Roisin is very close to her £55,000 target, after a community-wide push to raise the cash, the first treatment is just the beginning and she still needs as much money as possible to take her through the full process.

The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, where Roisin is still a pupil as she has missed so much time because of her illness, is hosting an Auction of Promises on Friday, December 5.

They are urging as many people as possible to come along to the evening, where there will be an auctioneer, live band and refreshments.

Roisin Kelleher with brother Cian and his friends
Roisin Kelleher with brother Cian and his friends

There will be a number of gifts and days out up for sale, including a meal for two at The Sportsman in Seasalter.

Tickets for the evening will be £5 for adults and £3 for children/students and will include wine, cheese and music.

For more information, call the school on 01795 533132.

To donate directly to Roisin vist her Go Fund Me site.

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