“It’s hard to put into words how we feel. We will be forever in their debt”
By Mary Dennehy
MARINA Jordan Killoran has raised more than €130,000 for life-saving treatment in the States, with the family extending a massive thank-you to the community of Tallaght for its support, kind wishes and generosity.
Speaking to The Echo, Marina’s husband and carer Alan said: “To say we are overjoyed is an understatement, we are so overwhelmed by the response and there is still money being donated and fundraised, which will help towards Marina’s post-treatment, flights and accommodation.
“We have provisionally booked Marina’s transplant procedure to begin at the end of June, which is fantastic.”
He added: “We have been humbled by everyone’s generosity.
“It’s hard to put into words how we feel. We will be forever in their debt. The kind words and best wishes from strangers is overwhelming. We have received letters and cards through the post from people all over the world, wishing Marina well.”
Growing up in Old Bawn, Marina Jordan Killoran (45) was diagnosed in 2010 with systemic scleroderma, a chronic, progressive and incurable auto immune disease which results in scar tissue building up on the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver.
Due to her illness, which sees an over production of the protein Collagen thicken the connective tissue of the body, Marina suffers from extreme joint pain, chronic fatigue, a persistent cough and limited mobility that sees the mam-of-two spend 23-hours a day in bed.
Marina, who now lives in Kildare with her husband Alan and daughters Shannon and Erin, also has a lung function of just 40 per cent and experiences difficulties swallowing due to an impaired oesophagus.
The money raised will see Marina travel to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago to undergo a form of stem cell transplant treatment, which uses Marina’s own stem cells to reboot her system – improving some of the damage done to her organs.
Follow Marina’s story on Stem Cell Transplant for Marina Jordan Killoran Facebook page or donate at ifundraise.ie (SCT for Marina).
See this Thursday’s Echo for an interview with Marina.
