Kildalkey fundraiser for Mannix Kane appeal

Singer and songwriter Liz Madden will be performing as part of a fundraiser for the Mannix Kane Appeal this coming Friday, 5th February, in The Snug House, Kildalkey. Ms Madden will be acting as MC and performer on the night, and will be joined by guitarist Dave Flynn and fiddler Brid Cannon. Two weeks before last Christmas, four-year old Mannix was taken to his local GP for what his mother believed would result in a prescription for a antibiotic. Instead, an ambulance was called and her little boy visited three different hospitals, had countless CAT and MRI scans, followed by two biopsies. Six days later, his parents were given the devasting news that their little boy had clear cell sarcoma stage 4. Mannix has two tumours, one on his kidney and the second behind his right eye. At present, Mannix has started treatment in Our Lady's Children Hospital. Crumlin, where his treatment plan consists of 30 weeks of agressive combination chemotheraphy, surgery to remove his kidney and one of the tumous and radiation treatment to tackle the second tumour. He also must get a daily injection to help improve his platelet count. His condition will be assessed at the end of the treatment. Unfortunately, the chance of full recovery is low and the chance of relapse with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is very high. This leads to less than 40 per cent survival rates. In this case, his parents hope to be able to bring Mannix to the United States and involve him in clinical trials. These are not available in Ireland, and neither is funding for this kind of treatment. From a family rich in Irish traditional music, Liz Madden, former singer and songwriter with Irish duo Rua, has had a successful music career culminating in three albums and performances worldwide including the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, the World Music Festival in Israel, the Catskills Irish Weekends, the seventh International China Folk and Art Festival and the Nobel Women's Initiative. She has just completed her solo album and globally Liz's beautiful voice and original compositions have been featured on over 50 compilation albums and used in both film and TV. As a vocalist, she moves easily between Irish, Celtic, new world, folk and classical music and her captivating voice leaves a lasting impression with its deep emotion and energy. The fundraiser for the Baby Mannix Appeal will take place on Friday 5th February in The Snug House, Kildalkey, at 8pm. Entrance tickets cost €10 and are available from Mark Byrne on (086) 377 6666. An account has been set up for those who wish to contribute, with donations to Bryan Kane, AIB, Raheny, Dublin. Sort code 93-23-45, account number 06576183.