Carnaross boy faces second Leukemia fight as family prepares for treatment abroad

The community of Carnaross has united in a wave of support for little Lorcán Farrell, a courageous four-year-old who is now facing the most challenging chapter in his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Lorcán, the son of Abbie Lynch and Oisín Farrell, was first diagnosed in January 2024, just after his second birthday. Over the last 20 months, he has undergone weekly chemotherapy treatments in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, showing remarkable resilience through every step of the way.

“We were just five months shy of him ringing the bell,” said Abbie. “He was meant to ring it in February. But the day after his fourth birthday in September, we got the call. His recent lumbar puncture showed the cancer cells were back.”

The news came as a devastating blow to the family, who had watched Lorcán fight bravely through each stage of his treatment.

Following the relapse, Lorcán’s medical team has recommended a bone marrow transplant as the next course of treatment. However, the procedure is not available in Ireland, and Lorcán has been referred to a hospital in Glasgow where a transplant place has been secured for late November.

“We were given options in Germany, the Netherlands, England, or Scotland. Thankfully, we got Glasgow, it’s the closest,” said Abbie.

Lorcán’s six-year-old sister, Alissa, has undergone testing to see if she is a match for the transplant. The family is now anxiously awaiting results. If she is a match, she will travel with them and begin her own journey in helping to save her brother’s life.

The transplant will require Lorcán to spend around 100 days in isolation, followed by regular check-ups in Scotland. This means months of travel, accommodation, and family separation all while trying to maintain some normalcy for Alissa.

Although the cost of the transplant is covered, the logistical and financial burden is significant. To help, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to ease the mounting pressures on the family. So far, more than €40,000 has been raised, with donations pouring in from across the county and beyond in a powerful show of solidarity.

Despite his young age, Lorcán has been described as “a model patient” by hospital staff and nurses. “He’s so resilient,” Abbie said. “He’s on steroids and chemo at the moment, but he takes it all in his stride. He never questions anything. He even calls his Hickman line and NG tube his ‘best friends’ he's named them Freddie and Sucky.”

Abbie, who administers daily treatments to her son at home, says he continues to show astonishing strength. “It’s like he was born for this. He knows all about his appointments, and he’s so calm. Even when he was first diagnosed, he just got on with it, he is a little warrior."

Sadly, Lorcán has missed out on much of what should be a carefree childhood, no preschool, no regular playdates or sports. But his big sister Alissa has been a rock for him throughout according to proud mum Abbie.

The local community has also rallied around the family with Carnaross GFC, where Lorcán is a young member and Alissa plays for the U7s, throwing its full support behind the family.

“Lorcán is a proud member of Carnaross GFC, and we’re proud to have him. His sister Alissa is in senior infants at Carnaross N.S. and plays for our U7s,” the club said. “The Farrell and Lynch families are deeply rooted in the club. Lorcán’s granddad, Pat Lynch, is a familiar face at the grounds—always helping out. And the Lynch ladies were a huge part of setting up our ladies’ team. The club wouldn’t be what it is without them.”

Abbie hopes that by sharing Lorcán’s story, she can raise awareness of the early signs of leukemia. “The diagnosis was such a shock. It started with a nosebleed. He had a rash that didn’t heal, and he looked pale but it was winter, I didn’t think much of it. If something feels off, trust your gut.”

You can support Lorcan and his family's journey by donating to the GoFundMe campaign titled: “Lorcán Farrell Leukemia Support”.

“Hopefully with everyone’s help and prayers, Lorcán will stay strong and fly through this. We just want to see him ring that bell.”