‘Saoirse is such a happy child, she’s rarely down, she’s very inspiring’

A Kells family have received brilliant news in regards to their five year old daughter and mum who have both been undergoing cancer treatment at the same time.

Last Christmas, little Saoirse Fearon lit up the town of Kells when she was invited on stage to switch on the Christmas lights. As she stood before the crowd, the community cheered her on, a reflection of the love and support they have shown the Fearon family since Jonathan and Laura Fearon first realised something wasn't quite right with their bubbly, outgoing daughter back in 2024.

That concern led to a life-changing diagnosis. At just three years old, Saoirse was diagnosed with Adrenocortical Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer.

Following genetic testing, Saoirse was also diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a rare inherited condition caused by a fault in the gene responsible for helping protect the body against cancer. After the diagnosis, the rest of the Fearon family underwent testing, which revealed that Saoirse's mother, Laura, also carries the same gene alteration. At just 34 years old, Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The last time the Meath Chronicle spoke with the Fearon family, Saoirse was preparing for her final round of chemotherapy just after Christmas 2025, while Laura was finishing her own treatment. Mother and daughter had bravely faced their cancer journeys side by side. Saoirse had undergone surgery to remove her second tumour in October 2025, while Laura underwent a double mastectomy, leaving dad Jonathan to keep everything running at home while caring for Saoirse and her little brother, Tadhg. This time, however, the news is overwhelmingly positive. Just last week, Saoirse received her six-month all-clear after completing chemotherapy in December, while Laura has also finished her treatment and is recovering well. Adding to the family's joy, Saoirse has graduated from ECCE and is now looking forward to starting primary school.

Despite reaching these important milestones, the effects of cancer treatment continue to present daily challenges.

Dad Jonathan said: "Unfortunately, being out of education for a year and going through chemotherapy has taken a toll on Saoirse's body.

"She has very little balance and needs to learn how to walk properly again. She also needs to learn how to hold items such as a knife and fork, and she finds simple things like jumping difficult.

"We are working with the Meath Children's Disability Network Team to help Saoirse with physiotherapy and speech therapy. They have referred us to a rehabilitation facility in Dublin to help Saoirse learn to walk properly again." Despite everything she has endured, Jonathan says Saoirse continues to amaze everyone around her with her resilience and positive outlook.

Her hair has grown back, and although she has overcome more in her five short years than many people face in a lifetime, she remains full of smiles. "She is very happy and chirpy, but she does get tired very quickly.

"We have to be careful about what we plan as a family because it can burn her out. Her fifth birthday was last Sunday, and we deliberately didn't do anything on the Saturday so she could save her energy for her birthday."