Newly married NI man who thought he had COVID-19 diagnosed with Leukaemia - friends launch fundraiser to ‘ease many pressures and stress’ as he finds out he is to be a father

The appeal, created two days ago, has already raised £5,000 of a £10,000 target.

In the GoFundMe they say: “Paul Dornan was diagnosed with Leukaemia in March 2020 at the incredibly young age of only 31.

“Just as the whole world went in to lockdown due to Covid19, Paul began to feel unwell and like many at the time phoned his GP and was told to self isolate.

“After a week of isolating his symptoms became worse.

“Paul was sent to a Covid Treatment Centre, there he collapsed through the doors and was immediately Blue Lighted to the Royal Hospital Belfast and a few hours later, while all on his own, was told the awful news that he had Leukaemia.

“Since then Paul has been through multiple harsh chemo regimes and in the past 6 months has lost count of the many admissions that he has had to the Belfast City Hospital Cancer Centre.

“He has spent many many long hours and days alone without family or friends due to how vulnerable his health is and the added Covid restrictions”.

The fundraiser adds that “Paul and his wife Katie were married only 5 months in October 2019 when this awful news came to their door, at a time when they should have been enjoying their time as a newly married couple their hopes and dreams were shattered by his diagnosis”.

It adds: “Shortly after Paul’s diagnosis and whilst in hospital, completely isolated from his wife, friends and family, he got the call from Katie to say that they were expecting a beautiful little baby due in December 2020.

“Unfortunately due to Paul having to spend so much time in hospital Katie has largely went through the pregnancy alone but for the support of their daughter Mia (13), friends and family.

“Paul has so far been robbed of his first year of marriage and the pregnancy of his first child with Katie.

“Paul has a rough road ahead of him with more intense treatment, long periods of time away from his wife, family and friends, financial pressures and the possibility of being in hospital during the birth of his little baby girl.

“We, his friends have convinced him to allow us to fund raise the money he needs to get access to any other treatments that may help him, support the birth of his child and to ease the burden of financial pressures.

“We are proud and honoured to call him our friend.

“Paul is one of life’s true gentlemen, he is an inspiration to all who know him.

“Paul is a very strong willed and courageous person and is determined to fight this cancer and to see his little daughter come into the world.

“So here we are asking you to ditch your Friday night takeaway or bottle of wine or even your latte and donate that money to our Pauly D. Your contribution will no doubt help ease many pressures and stress which at this difficult time Paul does not need.

“We have every faith that people will help Paul to live, not only for him, Katie and Mia but also for their little unborn baby.

“One in two of us will get cancer, it could be you needing this help!

“Thanking you so much in advance and for taking the time to read this!! Conor Donnelly, Kieran McCormick & Patrick Blake”.

See the fundraiser here

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