THE FAMILY of Dean O'Rourke have set up a fund to aid the Computer Science student in his treatment for Angiosarcoma, a rare form of spinal cancer.
The 22-year-old DIT student was diagnosed with a form of spinal cancer, Angiosarcoma, a condition so rare and life-threatening he must travel toThe Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institue in Italy to receive medical treatment and care.
It's estimated the initial operation for treatment of the disease is €46,500.
The 'Dean O Rourke Fund' was established by O'Rourke's family to fund the cancer treatment and associated costs in Italy.
The student also works in his local Penneys where he is highly thought of by all those whose path he crosses.
Before his diagnosis, O'Rourke was reportedly planning to take time off during his summer holidays to visit Vietnam with his girlfriend Hannah but his plans for the immediate future have been drastically altered.
According to the GoFundMe set up to aid the O'Rourke family in covering his healthcare costs, the cancer diagnosis "has turned Dean and his family's world upside-down."
The family members behind the appeal have said that all funds raised by the account will go directly to the O'Rourke family and any surplus funds shall go to The Spinal Unit in the Mater Hospital.
According to the National Cancer Registry, statistics say that 1 in 2 of us will be affected by cancer by 2020.
Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can click here.
