Help Fundraise for Laura

to go to a specialist cancer centre in the USA

Laura Hickey is a 29 year-old primary school teacher from Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Shortly after graduating in 2006, Laura landed her dream job in St. Paul’s National School, Ratoath where she dedicated herself completely to the nurturing and individual development of every single child she taught. Laura’s holistic teaching philosophy was always evident in the child-centred atmosphere she so carefully fostered in her classroom, where the children thrived. Teaching is not ‘just a job’ to Laura – it is her passion and her vocation.

In 2010, at the age of 26, Laura’s world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with mixed-cell lymphoma, a very rare form of cancer. Laura’s case has been further complicated by an underlying hereditary spleen condition (spherocytosis) which impedes her post-treatment recovery and leaves her prone to potentially fatal infection. In 2012, she spent a month in an induced coma after contracting pneumococcal pneumonia. Sadly, Laura’s treatment programme has achieved only intermittent success to date, and in late 2013, she received confirmation that her cancer had returned for the third time in four years. This was devastating news for Laura and her family.

Laura is now being referred to the world –renowned Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York for a more expert opinion on her diagnosis, treatment plans to date and her post-treatment recovery programme. A key outcome from the trip would be to secure a clear and comprehensive treatment plan for the future, should the need arise. This trip represents Laura’s best chance of returning as soon as possible to a normal, healthy life with her partner and her family. All they want is for Laura to be well again.

Laura needs your help.

€60,000 is needed to fund this opportunity for Laura. The Laura Hickey Fund has been set up by a group of volunteers for this purpose. Every cent raised will go directly to Laura’s fund. There will be a number of events over the coming weeks, building towards a grand fundraising ball to be held in Ashbourne on 27th June – the last day of the school year and four years since Laura last stood at the top of a classroom.

We have some very good news to share regarding The Laura Hickey Fund. As you know, we initially set a fundraising target of €60,000. This was estimated to be the minimum amount needed to fund Laura’s trip to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York to have her case and treatment plans reviewed. The Summer Ball on 27th June marked three months of intensive fundraising. We have been overwhelmed by the amazing response by the communities of Ashbourne and Ratoath. The Fund has also received incredible support from Laura’s friends and relations all over Ireland (especially Donegal!) and around the world. Laura gave a very moving speech at the Summer Ball about how much your support to her personally and of the Laura Hickey Fund means to her. She would like to be able to thank everyone individually but that would be an impossible task as literally hundreds of people have been, and continue to be, involved in the campaign.

Contributions to The Laura Hickey Fund have come through many different channels: personal contributions; corporate donations; sponsored events; cake sales; coffee mornings; school events; events organised by local children; and the Summer Ball, to name but a few. We have already announced details of funds raised through various events but we would now like to share with you the grand total as it currently stands.

The campaign for The Laura Hickey Fund has to date raised €170,000!

This is an incredible figure and far exceeds our original hopes and expectations. The Laura Hickey Fund is set up as a Trust and the funds will be used for Laura’s initial trip and her future medical needs.

Laura is in the process of planning her trip to Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Laura Hickey Fund Committee will continue to oversee the Trust. A number of fundraising events have already been planned to take place over the summer and autumn and details of those will be posted here. However, we are not planning any new events at the moment.

Laura, her fiancé Ronan, her parents and the Hickey family are indebted to the many, many individuals, schools and organisations who have given so generously of their time, money and talents to raise these funds for Laura’s medical needs. They would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincerest gratitude to everyone who has made a contribution to the campaign.

Laura quoted Abraham Lincoln during her speech at the Summer Ball: “The best part about the future is that it comes one day at a time”. We all wish Laura a healthy and happy future and going to Memorial Sloan Kettering is the first step towards that.

Thank you all so very, very much.

The Laura Hickey Fund Committee
August 2014

Should you wish to donate, you can do so by clicking on the "Donate Now" button at the top of this page.

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Thank You!

Car/Tractor Show and Family Fun Day

Tadg Riordan is hosting a Vintage Car and Tractor Show at his home in Baltrasna, Ashbourne, Co. Meath on Saturday 5th of July. Starting at 2pm, there will be a barbecue and lots of fun to be had for all the family on the day! Admission is 10 euro per family and proceeds are going to The Laura […]

Summer Ball 27th June

Taking place on Friday the 27th of June in the Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne, we have a wonderful night’s dining and entertainment lined up for all attending, with every cent raised on the night going towards The Laura Hickey Fund. More details will be announced at a later stage.

Leg-it for Laura 2nd June

So far we have over 70 lovely ladies who will “leg-it for Laura” at the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon on Monday the 2nd of June in Dublin. If you haven’t already contacted us to get your sponsorship cards be sure to email us at: thelaurahickeyfund@gmail.com Meeting before the race: We will meet at 12:30pm outside the […]

Clothes Swap 15th May

Shop till you drop (with a twist)! On May 15th in Swans Bar, the lounge will be turned into a fab shop for the night and the snug into lovely tea rooms. Calling all fashionistas – you can bring up to 5 items max of clothes or accessories that are in good condition but that you […]

The Laura Hickey Fund Committee

(Left to right) Back Row: Tom Roddy, Ronan Cawley, Pauline McCarthy, Nicola Murphy, Samantha Haskins, Áine O’Toole, Maeve Roddy, Adelaide Keegan, Linda Kelly. Front Row: Ursula Hickey, Paul Moore, Diarmaid Williams, Siobhán Kennedy, Claire Buckley, Mary O’Keeffe. Pictured above are The Laura Hickey Fund committee members at a meeting on Tuesday, April 29th. Our voluntary committee […]

Coffee Morning 9th May

Our first fundraising event for The Laura Hickey Fund was a coffee morning which took place on Friday 9th of May in the Ashbourne House Hotel. We had teas, coffees and biscuits which were kindly sponsored by Dial An Electrian, along with tasty treats made by Sharon’s Cupcakes. Mary Quinn sold jewellery as well as […]

Article featured in Ashbourne Forum

Have you seen our gorgeous Laura on the front cover of this week’s issue of the Ashbourne Forum? Many thanks to editor Megan Smith for her excellent article on page 8 about the work of the fund and Laura too.