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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Gavin Quinn

'Do it for Dan' campaign: Family and GAA legends thank public for helping raise massive sum

Some GAA heroes have thanked the public for helping raise millions for the 'Do it for Dan' campaign as the youngster's parents paid an emotional tribute to donators.

Aidan O'Shea, Kieran Donaghy and Henry Shefflin were all on the Late Late Show to thank the GAA community, while Dan's parents Niall and Aisling Donoher joined.

The campaign has seen thousands come together to help raise some €2.1 million to help one-year-old Laois boy Dan Donoher access life-changing treatment.

Speaking on the Late Late Show, Dan's parents Aisling and Niall thanked everyone for their help, Niall said: "The support we've gotten has been unreal.

"There's just too many for me to thank, for Aisling to thank, we'd never get through everyone.

"Our first love is GAA, the GAA community, once they came on board. The response was nothing short of outrageous."

Dan with parents Aisling and Niall (Do it for Dan trust)

Aisling added: "Everyone who's been behind us from the very beginning... We just ask that everyone keeps Dan in their thoughts and prayers over the next three weeks (as Dan prepares for treatment) that everything can go our way."

Mayo captain Aidan O'Shea described the speed of the fundraising as 'crazy' after one of his early campaigns, alongside RTE's Evanne Ni Chuilinn, got the ball rolling on fundraising.

Kilkenny hero Henry Shefflin said that the fundraisers captured the public's 'hearts and minds' and praised the role of young children driving donations.

Henry Shefflin (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

And Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy also chimed in, praising the generosity of the public and the work of different communities and people to make it come together - and revealing that he was surprised by the capacity of people to give during these challenging times.

The Do It For Dan campaign raised funds for one-year-old Dan Donoher, who was diagnosed with a severe type 1 SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) condition in December.

The extremely rare and progressive condition leads to the loss of motor neurons that control muscle movement.

Dan Donoher (Do it for Dan Trust)

Dan requires ventilator support and such is the youngster's weakness, his parents have told that "a common cold could end Dan's life".

There was previously no cure for the condition, but a new treatment called Zolgensma has become available in American that could be life-saving for the toddler.

His parents, who both played inter-county football for Laois, are hoping to raise enough money to bring him to the US for life-saving treatment.

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