Donegal family's fight as mother and son diagnosed with life-changing illnesses

Stephen Maguire

A young Co Donegal family have appealed for help after their son was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder – just months after his mum was diagnosed with leukemia.

Four-year-old Zach McCrossan from St Johnston recently began showing signs of fatigue recently which worried his family.

After many tests and bone marrow biopsies, Zach has now been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.

His only chance is a bone marrow transplant, which isn’t available in Ireland.

He’s now been referred to the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, Netherlands, where he’s expected to be an inpatient for at least 3 months.

It is the latest challenge facing the McCrossan family.

In February, Zach's mother Patrice (née Rodgers) discovered she had acute myeloid leukemia.

The 32-year-old was rushed to Galway Hospital for treatment days later before being transferred to St. James’ in Dublin for a bone marrow transplant.

Unfortunately, the transplant wasn’t as successful as the family had wished, and Patrice now travels regularly to Dublin for DLI therapy and is still receiving chemotherapy treatments to keep her disease at bay.

Since the news broke, the local community has shown an incredible outpouring of support for Patrice, her husband, Gary, and their four children aged between 7 months and 9 years.

But now the couple are being forced to turn their attention to help their little boy, Zach.

Dad Gary said the news of Zach's illness has hit them hard but they are doing their best to stay strong.

He said "It’s devastating to think of our family being split up once again. We are doing our best to stay strong, but the emotional and financial toll is enormous.

"Patrice will need to continue her own treatments at home while also being there for Zach—and for our other children, Casey, Hollie, and little Tillie.

"We are humbly asking for support to help bring our family to the Netherlands so we can be with Zach during this incredibly difficult time.

"Whether it's a small donation, a share, or simply keeping us in your thoughts — it all means the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," he said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cope with the financial strain.