Donal Walsh – My inspiration

Miriam O’Callaghan 4 pearl

Cancer

• At 12 years of age Donal was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma (Bone Cancer) in his tibia.

• He had operation to give him a prosthetic knee and nine months of chemotherapy.

• He had to learn to walk again and was told he would never be able to do field sports again.

• Instead of being upset over this he returned to the field to train his own teem. That is an easy example of how much respect his peers had for him.

• In February 2012 the Cancer returned, this time to his lung.

• Donal again had sergry, this time to have half of his lung removed. He also endured another round of chemotherapy treatment until June.

• He started to cycle to try and increase his lung capacity, cycling up to 60k each day.

• Donal joined the cross rugby legends on their inaugural cycle in September that year from Moll’s Gap to Killarney and led the tour into his home town of Tralee.

• In October 2012 Donal was diagnosed for the third, and final time with tumours in more than five places.

• The prognosis was not good and he was given only weeks to live as well as being told to have an early Christmas.

• Although Donal survived much longer than predicted by doctors he sadly passed away on May 12th 2013.

• The entire town of tralee was silenced as Donals coffin was escorted to the church for his funeral, attended by over 2,000 people.

St Jonh’s Cancer Ward - Crumlin

• While sick Donal raised over €65,000 to improve conditions for all patients, especially teenagers as there was no facilities for his own age.

• While there he expressed his disgust at the conditions of the hospital through a junior cert essay question which was ultimately published in the Kerryman.

• The room in Donal’s honour was officially opened this year.

Awards Recieved

• For Donal’s goodwill and inspirational actions he received many awards.

Radio Kerry/Kerry’s Eye 2012

• After Donal had written about his experiences through his first journey with Cancer and as a result of having raised, or had raised in his name, over €50,000.00 for the Teen Room in Crumlin he received this as the March winner. It was at the presentation of this award that his further writings were discovered and his prominence grew to National and International attention.

Rehab Young Person of the Year 2013

• Following his winning the Local Hero Award and the subsequent national media interviews and publications by Donal his anti-suicide message was acclaimed as “Probably the most significant intervention in this area ever” by Terence Casey, South Kerry Coroner. “Since his initial interview in March up to the end of August I had no reported case of suicide in my court where I would normally have two per month!” Donal received National recognition through the Rehab People of the Year awards.

Mons. Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian of the Year 2013

• In the citation for this award recognized that: “When facing his own impending death at the tender age of 16 years, Donal selflessly and bravely displayed deep humanity and concern for his fellow humans when he publicy pleaded with us to cherish every moment of our lives and step away from any thoughts or actions that would result in self-harm or death.”

The Saturday Night Show

• After the popular public reaction to Donals essays published in the newspaper Donal was invited onto Brendan O’Connors Saturday Night Show.

• By the end of the night the interveiw had gone viral and Donal Walsh #livelife was trending on twitter.

YouTube video

• During his time in hospital Donal posted a short video to YouTube showing his struggles with cancer.

HSE Involvment• After his TV appearance the HSE approached

Donal about creating anti-suaside video.• Shortly before his death this was recorded. It

is due to be shown to all school pupils in Ireland.

Why I find Donal inspirational

• During Donal's fight with cancer he didn’t pity himself or look for pity from others but instead he thought of others and their well being.

• While struggling himself he only thought of other people who could possibly end up in his situation and wanted to improve conditions for others.

• He also wanted to spread his anti-suicide message, one which has saved many lives already and hopefully will continue to do so in years to come.