Ellie-Mai's Story

Ellie-Mai Murphy, from Athlone, was just 18 years old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. She was in her sixth year and preparing to sit her Leaving Cert when her world changed overnight after a routine blood test that revealed her illness.

She had no symptoms, but suddenly she faced months of chemotherapy, full-body radiotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant in St James’s Hospital. 

In the middle of all of this, Ellie-Mai did something extraordinary: she sat her Leaving Cert exams from her hospital bed. It was an act of courage that showed just how determined she was to hold on to her future, even in the toughest moments. 

Thanks to support like yours, Ellie-Mai received vital financial aid from the Irish Cancer Society. That help eased the pressure on her family and allowed her to focus on getting through treatment, rather than worrying about mounting bills and unplanned costs. 

Today, Ellie-Mai is recovering well. She still has some lingering health issues from her treatment, but she is looking ahead with hope. Inspired by the care she received during her many months in hospital, she now dreams of becoming a nurse so she can support others facing what she went through.