Waterford teen to miss Christmas at home as she receives brain tumour treatment in Germany

Caroline Kenny and her mother Breda.

This year, St Stephen's Day swimmers in Co Waterford will take the plunge in support of a local teenager who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour in Germany.

In 2014, when she was only five years old, Caroline Kenny was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. 

Now 14, she will be spending Christmas away from home as she undergoes 30 sessions of proton therapy in Essen.

Proton therapy is a more targeted form of radiotherapy, and is only available in Essen or Manchester.

It was recommended by Caroline's team in Crumlin Children's Hospital after years of chemotherapy failed to shrink her tumour.

Chemo only managed to keep Caroline's tumour at bay, once treatment stopped, it started to grow again.

Despite her sickness, Caroline's Mum Breda says Caroline is "a wonderful child" who "always has a smile on her face".

No matter what treatment or procedure she has to face, she gets on with it and is always thankful to those who help her along the way. 

"She lives for her grannies and grandads, her uncles, aunts, lots of cousins and her school friends. 

"She has five wonderful sisters and her Daddy Pat, who she is mad about,” Breda said.

When it was confirmed Caroline would be travelling to Essen for six weeks of treatment, Pat and Breda contacted the Gavin Glynn Foundation.

The Wicklow-based foundation aims to assist families with all the logistics and financial aspects of travelling overseas for specialist treatment not available in Ireland. 

It was set up by John and Jayne Glynn in memory of their son, Gavin, who died in 2014, just aged four. To date, the foundation has helped over 230 families.

Caroline Kenny on her way to Essen, Germany, for initial assessment prior to treatment.

According to Breda, "nothing is too much trouble" at the Gavin Glynn Foundation.

“No matter the time of day or night, John is always at the end of the phone to deal with any query or request you have. 

"Caroline and I travelled to Essen again on December 6 to start Caroline's 30 sessions of treatment. John booked flights, transfers and a beautiful apartment for us close to the hospital.

We will forever be indebted to the Gavin Glynn Foundation,” she said.

Breda and Caroline will spend about six weeks in Essen over the holidays while Caroline receives her treatment.

However, both are already "looking forward to returning home to Ireland towards the end of January and seeing everyone again".

Caroline, who also has no vision in her right eye, is a second year student at Blackwater Community School in Waterford.

Since she was diagnosed, she has received treatment in Temple Street, Crumlin, and the Mercy in Cork.

The Christmas Swim For Caroline will take place at 11am on December 26 at Clonea Strand in Dungarvan. 

All funds raised will go directly to the Gavin Glynn Foundation, and donations can be made here.