Brain Tumour Ireland (The Ronnie Fehily Foundation) is a new Irish charity launching during International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (28th Oct-3rd Nov), in memory of Ronnie Fehily, an otherwise healthy and active mum of four, who died of a brain tumour in January 2012…

Ronnie was a rugby fan who followed the team at home and abroad and so it was appropriate that Leinster players Luke Fitzgerald, Jack McGrath and Leo Auva’a came out in force this week to help spread the word about Brain Tumour Ireland.

Ronnie’s son and spokesperson for Brain Tumour Ireland, Simon Roche said: “Brain Tumour Ireland (The Ronnie Fehily Foundation) is a new Irish charity being launched this week in memory of my mother, Ronnie Fehily who sadly passed away in January of this year as a result of a brain tumour. During her short illness, we found that aside from the excellent medical care she received, there was very little information or support available in Ireland for brain tumour patients and their loved ones.

“Brain Tumour Ireland aims to raise awareness of brain tumours in Ireland, a subject not often talked about. There is a perception that it is a rare disease but unfortunately the most recent figures from the National Cancer Registry show a yearly average of 311 malignant cases. It is also worth remembering that not all brain tumours are cancerous, so the overall figure would be higher than this. 

“With our accompanying website www.braintumourireland.com we also aim to provide information and support to brain tumour patients and families, and in the long term, we will fundraise for medical research on brain tumours. As Leinster fanatics we are very grateful to the players for helping us raise awareness of this important issue.”

Brain Tumour Ireland (The Ronnie Fehily Foundation) is holding a formal launch and patient information day on Saturday 3rd November at 1.15pm in the Westbury Hotel.

Simon added: “This will be the first of many events where those affected by brain tumours in Ireland can come together to receive both support from each other, and also information from medical professionals working in the field. We are delighted to have the support of Stephen McNally, Consultant Neurosurgeon in Beaumont Hospital, who will speak at our meeting on Saturday 3rd November.”

Brain Tumour Ireland is a new Irish charity, founded by the family of Ronnie Fehily from Dunlavin Co.Wicklow, who died as the result of a high grade glioma (brain tumour) in January 2012.

• Ronnie’s four children have set up this charity as a response to the lack of information and support for brain tumour patients and their families in the Republic of Ireland.

• The aims of the charity are to:

*raise awareness of and promote education about brain tumours.
*provide information and support to brain tumour patients and their families.
*fundraise for medical research on brain tumours.

• The week 28th October- 3rd November is designated International Brain Tumour Awareness Week by the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA). Kathy Oliver, the Co- Director of IBTA will speak at Brain Tumour Ireland’s event on Saturday 3rd November at 1.15pm in the Westbury Hotel.