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15th January 2024
09:49am GMT
Sportsman, Shane Lowry is urging the public to donate to help a young toddler get treatment for a rare disease.
Joey Conway was diagnosed with multiple health issues in the first two years of his life, including sepsis.
The youngster was originally diagnosed with invasive Strep A but has since been diagnosed with a very rare condition.
Doctors confirmed the toddler had Portal Vein Thrombosis as well as the rare condition of Non-cirrhotic Portal Hypertension.
His health issues have completely changed his life, but there is a surgery that could transform his life for the better.
Joey's parents have been trying to raise funds for the €330,000 surgery, but Shane Lowry has called on the public to help the family.
He personally donated €10,000 to help Joey's parents bring him to Chicago to get the surgery.
Let’s get this little fella to America @JoeyTogether 💚 #JoinTogetherForJoey pic.twitter.com/xckl4TCTJH
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) January 9, 2024
They explained that without the surgery, Joey could suffer another bout of sepsis, which could be life-threatening.
The parents said they just want their little boy to live a normal life, which is possible if he has the surgery.
However, the surgery is only available in Chicago.
They wrote on GoFundMe: "There is a Meso Rex Shunt/Bypass surgery that can be done for Joey. This surgery is available in Chicago and all in will cost €330,000, where we will have to stay anywhere between 8-12 weeks from pre-op to post-op.
"It is a 5 hour surgery that connects the superior mesenteric vein to the left portal vein using an internal jugular vein.
The surgery would restore Joey's system to normal function.
His parents said the surgery has the potential to change his life.
"It would be both life-saving and life-changing and give him his life back," his parents shared.
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
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