Family prays for miracle to help brave Lizzie

LIZZIE O’FARRELL still clings to her dream of a new life.

The 26-year-old Kilkenny woman remains critically ill in a London hospital as her wait for an unprecedented sixth liver transplant enters its third month.

Lizzie’s family is once again appealing for the public’s help to fund regular trips to the King’s College Hospital.

While her hospital care is free, the family wants to spend more time at her bedside, fearing she could be losing her brave battle.

Lizzie’s family is praying for a miracle and that a suitable donor organ can be found before it is too late. Without a donor, she will die.

“We were over with her at the weekend and she is beginning to weaken and she has no energy. I don’t really know how she has survived this long and we are just praying that she gets the liver before anything happens,” said her sister, Maria Rowe.

“The letters and notes she has received in the post and through the Kilkenny People newspaper have really given her a lift and we hope that kind people will continue to send them to her.

“She knows things are not good and while before she was able to cheer us up in tough situations, being in hospital for the last two months has really been difficult for her.”

Lizzie, a former National Person of the Year, faces months in hospital after her transplant. Three to four weeks after the operation she will have a course of chemotherapy.

A short period later, she will undergo a bone marrow transplant. The donor will be her younger brother, Philly who lives in nearby Swindon.

If you are interested in helping the O’ Farrell family you can make a donation to The Lizzie Farrell Trust Fund, Bank of Ireland, The Parade, Kilkenny, account number 19436242, sorting code 90-60-64.