A family has moved from Ireland to the United States hoping that doctors at the Boston Children’s Hospital can save their 4-year-old son, Cian McDonnell-Lynch.
Since he was born, Cian has been suffering from a fatal bone marrow condition called Dyskeratosis Congenita. It's left him blind.
“It’s a very rare disease,” his mother, Lisa McDonnell, told Boston's WBZ-TV. “It affects one in a million. And Cian is actually at the more severe end of the syndrome.”
Doctors say he only has months to live unless he receives a double-lung transplant. The procedure is expected to save his life as it's done for many others, including 20-year-old Lyndsey McLaughlin who suffered from cystic fibrosis. While little Cian already underwent a successful bone marrow transplant, the disease is causing severe issues with his lungs.
There's also one more major issue: if he's able to receive a lung transplant, Cian's family won't be able to pay for the very pricey procedure since their Irish insurance won't cover it. It will cost them more than $1 million.
In turn, they've set up a GoFundMe page to raise money. People from all around the world have been donating and the family has collected more than $100,000.
“It’s just so heartwarming to think that everybody cares so much about him,” his mother said while holding back tears. “Everybody is really fighting in our corner, in his corner, and he’s going to get the best possible chance.”
If you would like to donate, please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/hopeforcian.
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