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Caroline McAuliffe (seated third from left) with family and friends looking forward to the 80s and 90s disco fundraiser at The Abbey Tavern. Photo by Dermot Crean
AN Ardfert woman is organising a 80s/90s disco fundraiser next month to help out the hospital where she was treated for cancer over a year ago.
Caroline McAuliffe, a married mother of two young children, was 36 years old when she had a tumour in her tongue removed at the South Infirmary Hospital in Cork.
She’s received the all-clear now, but it it was quite an ordeal as she explained when TraleeToday.ie called out for the launch of the fundraiser on Monday night.
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“I got sores underneath my tongue in the summer of 2016 and after a few months I went to the doctor, who initially thought it was an ulcer. I was referred to the Dental School in CUH where I was diagnosed with a tumour on September 5. I thought of my children straight away as Jessie was just 10 months and Evie was two at the time,” she said.
Caroline underwent a ten hour operation at the South Infirmary Hospital to remove the tumour on October 3 which involved reconstructing part of her tongue. She had six bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was in the hospital for three weeks.
Caroline McAuliffe with husband Mitchel, children Jessie and Evie, Katie O’Shea, Peggy O’Sullivan, Marcus O’Sullivan, Yvonne O’Sullivan and Jamie O’Shea, looking forward to the 80s and 90s disco fundraiser at The Abbey Tavern. Photo by Dermot Crean
An MRI later showed the cancer is now gone, but she still has to go back for check-ups every four months.
Caroline was touched at the care she received and said it felt like it was more than a job for the staff at the South Infirmary.
“The care that I received there was unbelievable. I will never forget it. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the hospital and staff so I just want to give something back,” she said.
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Even though tongue cancer is rare enough, Caroline wants to make people aware of it and if anyone has recurring sores in the mouth area they should get it checked out sooner rather than later.
The 80s and 90s disco in aid of the Head and Neck Oncology Department at the South Infirmary Hospital Cork will take place from 9pm on Saturday, February 17 in The Abbey Tavern, Ardfert.
There’s some fantastic prizes for the raffle, including two nights B&B and one evening meal in the Skellig Hotel Dingle, a €250 Aer Lingus voucher, two tickets to The High Kings in Killarney, a €100 Atlantic Oils voucher and a €50 voucher for Horgan’s Centra, Ardfert.
Tickets for the raffle are on sale now from committee members at €5 each and the draw will take place from 10pm on the night of the disco. There will be food served and fancy dress is optional with best dressed prizes also given out on the night.
