Irish father fighting to 'grow old and experience what life has to offer' after heartbreaking diagnosis
47-year-old Gavin Cooper is on a mission to save his life, aiming to raise the funds necessary to have a life-changing operation
An Irish father is fighting to “grow old and experience what life has to offer” after a heartbreaking diagnosis.
Gavin Cooper is in a battle to save his life. In 2016, the 47-year-old was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in his lungs, which he struggled with for four years before it went away. However, in 2021, after getting his Covid-19 vaccine, a rare seven-centimetre tumor was discovered in his liver.
The tumour is wrapped around Gavin’s portal vein and, along with causing portal hypertension, has resulted in ascites, gallbladder issues, an enlarged spleen and a swollen vascular system.
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In August, he was told by specialists in Dublin that he needed a liver transplant and portal vein reconstruction, but that there were no surgeons in Ireland with the expertise necessary to perform this complex surgery. If he doesn't have this life-saving operation, the doctors have advised he will only survive for five years. He says the team have been fantastic and are reaching out to other specialists abroad for advice.
Gavin has set up a fundraiser to seek help to cover the "astronomical" costs and to allow him to ‘grow old and experience what life has to offer’ with his loving wife and family.
Gavin shared: “I'm a husband to my wonderful wife Eileen and a father to three beautiful children that I want to see grow up, get married and have children of their own. I want to grow old and experience what life has to offer with my family but my illness has been so hard on me, as well as my family.
"Since January, I have been unable to work, and my wife is working two jobs to try and make ends meet. Being in this situation is so painful, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I have worked hard my entire life and never once looked for help, but now I realise that sometimes we all need help."
So far the GoFundMe has raised €6,061 out of the €150,000 target. To donate to Gavin’s fundraiser, head here. Gavin has also set up a TikTok, where you can follow his story, follow the account here.
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