Over €18,000 raised towards Athlone man's lifesaving surgery

by Rebekah O'Reilly

Some €18,800 has been fundraised to date to help with the cost of lifesaving surgery for Athlone father-of-three Gavin Cooper.

Gavin shared his story in September after a devastating prognosis gave him a life expectancy of just five years.

He has been living with sarcoidosis since 2016, but his condition has significantly deteriorated in recent years.

"He needs biliary and portal vein reconstruction. He needs a liver transplant – but his body has created new veins around the pressure area [on his portal vein] so there's no specialist in Ireland willing to take the risk," Gavin's daughter Jessica explained.

"He's on water tablets to drain fluid – and it's causing his kidneys to fail because they're so dehydrated. Every fix causes a new problem, it's a vicious cycle."

After a series of fundraisers, including a raffle from Bandhan Ireland, and a raffle for art work by Gavin's friend Rob of RJD Art, the 47-year-old still has a way to go to reach his goal of €150,000.

Jessica said to date they are yet to find a medical professional to help with his complicated condition.

"The hospital have sent letters to the UK along with his files, and we still await any word back," she said. "My dad is just out of the hospital with yet another infection and stent change."

A number of events over the festive period aim to raise funds for the cause, including a raffle by Martin Hickey from Fusion Training Centre, and the Sofa King Cool Reunion Gig in The Venue, which is set to feature a number of local musicians with tickets priced at €10 each.

Jessica also hopes to complete a skydive early in 2025.

The Coopes said they are incredibly grateful for all the support so far, and hope that the right person will come along to save Gavin's life.

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your support and thank you for helping me by giving me the opportunity to be around for my family as long as I can," Gavin said.

"I've said it before and it will never change. I will fight this until the end with everything I have, and with [the support] behind me we I will find that one person who is out there somewhere to take on my case and make it happen."

To donate go to: gofundme.com/f/5-years-to-save-my-life