A courageous little child who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year has gone away, and tributes have been sent to him. On March 27, Tony Fitzpatrick, a resident of Magherafelt, received his brain tumour diagnosis, reports The Mirror.
The nine-year-old’s family was devastated to learn, a few days after he underwent emergency surgery, that his brain tumour was a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, an exceedingly uncommon and challenging-to-treat childhood disease.
A member of the O’Donovan Rossa club in Magherafelt, the Co Derry boy had ‘a passion like no other for GAA football’. In addition, he played for Moyola Park AFC and had a strong passion for Liverpool. He had aspirations of “playing like Mo Salah one day,” reports The Mirror.
Following his diagnosis, Tony’s neighbourhood came together to support the family, and more than £297,00 had been raised through a Go Fund Me website created to pay for the child’s alternative therapies.
Tributes to the young child have poured in across social media on Friday. GAA club Crossmaglen Rangers said: “Cross Rangers are saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Wee Tony Fitzpatrick. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony’s Mammy & Daddy, Sisters, extended family, friends and our fellow Gaels O’Donovan Rossa GAC Magherafelt,” reports The Mirror.
“You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Mary Queen Of The Gael pray for Tony,” reports The Mirror.
Another comment stated: “The inspiration he gave everyone and the love he received in his short time on this earth was phenomenal. May Tony continue to inspire us from above and if you are blessed to have kids, hug them a little bit tighter this evening,” reports The Mirror.
A message shared when the GoFundMe page was set up reads: “Tony is an inspiration to us all. He has faced simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments after his brain surgery and smiled through it all. Tony has the biggest heart and greatest laugh of anyone we know. He sets an example for all of us in how to live life to the fullest every day,” reports The Mirror.
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