Community rallies behind Tipperary girl going overseas for lifesaving treatment

Mullinahone girl Sophie Quirke was diagnosed with B Cell, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on January 6, 2023 aged just seven.

Sophie got through two years and three months of daily oral chemotherapy, monthly IV and tri-monthly trips to theatre for spinal chemo, lumber punctures and bone marrow biopsies.

After over two years of treatment and an end date in sight of March 7, 2025, the family received the cruelest blow.

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When on February 26 during a routine lumber puncture cancer cells were found to be present in Sophie’s cerebral spinal fluid and bone marrow.

With just one week to Sophie ringing the bell, the family’s world was once again torn apart.

As Sophie is still on active treatment, the relapse puts Sophie in the high risk category and her best chance is to receive a bone marrow transplant.

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However, unfortunately this treatment is no longer available in Ireland and Sophie will have to travel overseas for this life saving treatment.

The process will take 6-18 weeks in isolation in hospital, following a three month period of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation.

The entire community and beyond have come together to wish Sophie the very best of luck in her journey ahead. Sophie and her family will be in all our thoughts and prayers.