Family of Cork woman fighting cancer raises funds for life-saving treatment abroad

Lorraine Kirby’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. After months of chemo and radiation therapy, it looked as though she was going to beat the disease. Just 18 months later, her family received the worst news possible; the cancer had spread to her lungs. Now, the family are raising funds for a life-saving treatment abroad that could help Lorraine beat this terrible illness. In less than 48 hours, the GoFundMe, launched by Lorraine's sister Jennifer, has raised over €60k following a huge response. Jennifer told CorkBeo the family are 'incredibly grateful and overwhelmed' by the support they have recieved. " I'm awake all night, every time I look at the page, it's gotten bigger", Jennifer said. "It just shows how generous people are." Lorraine, originally from Bishopstown, now living in Ballincollig, had been a baby photographer, who ran her own studio, before her devastating diagnosis. "She had 2 rounds of chemo", Jennifer said. "The last round shrunk 90% of the tumour, but 10% got bigger. They told her she only had 1 option - chemo for the rest of her life. She did loads of research and found a place in Germany that accepted her for treatment. There are a few things she'd be eligible to get that aren't available in Ireland, but the cost is massive." The treatment includes Dendritic Cell Therapy and TPCE (Transpulmonary Chemoembolization), which is an experimental immunotherapy where a patient's immune cells are extracted, trained outside the body to recognize tumor markers, and reinfused to boost the immune response. The cost of this treatment, as well as travel and accommodation, can run into the hundreds of thousands of euro, far beyond what most families would ever be able to afford. The fundraiser has offered a lifeline to mum of 3 Lorraine. " She’s doing really, really well, no one would have known. She doesn’t look sick", Jennifer said. " She’s a mom to 3, and some days I’m looking at her thinking she’s doing better than I do. I think the kids keep her going." It's been a tough few years for Lorraine, but her battle with cancer shows she's nothing if not a fighter - and she's facing this latest challenge with hope. She wrote: "There are moments in life when “thank you” just doesn’t feel like enough, and this is one of them. To every single person who has donated to my GoFundMe, shared my story, sent a message, or kept me in your thoughts and prayers—thank you from the very bottom of my heart." As many of you know, this journey has been incredibly difficult, and there have been times when I’ve felt scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain about what the future holds. But because of your kindness and generosity, you’ve given me something I desperately needed: hope." "Every donation, no matter the size, is so much more than financial support. It’s a reminder that I am loved, that I am not alone in this fight, and that there are so many people who believe my life is worth fighting for. That is something I will carry with me forever." "Thanks to your incredible compassion, I now have the chance to travel to Germany for treatment—a chance that once felt completely out of reach. You have helped turn fear into hope and uncertainty into possibility." "I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am for every act of kindness you’ve shown me. You’ve lifted a weight from my shoulders and given me the strength to keep believing, even on the hardest days. Please know that every donation, every share, every kind word, and every prayer has touched my heart more deeply than you’ll ever know. I will carry your love and support with me throughout this journey and beyond. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me, standing beside me, and giving me the chance to keep fighting." "With all my love and endless gratitude, Thank you" You can donate to support the GoFundMe campaign here .