Forgotten families finally heard
A hard-hitting documentary outlining the financial struggles of families with a sick child will air on Irish television tonight, Thursday.
The documentary, entitled ‘Ireland’s Forgotten Families’, was created with the help of financial support organisation Cliona’s Foundation which has helped 141 Cork families who suffered financial distress while caring for a seriously ill child.
In recent months, Cliona’s Foundation has noticed a significant increase in the number of people applying to them for financial assistance.
The two-part documentary series, which airs back to back tonight on Virgin Media Three from 9pm, follows four of the Irish families who have received financial support from Cliona’s Foundation.
One of the families featured in the documentary are the Crowes whose daughter Sarah passed away after a battle with Alpers (Mitochondrial disease) in 2016.
Speaking about the documentary, Sarah’s father Dave Crowe said: “We were very happy to be one of the families featured in the documentary. As a result of our journey with our wonderful daughter Sarah, we know first-hand just how much the help Cliona’s give to families really means to them, that someone out there is thinking of us and wants to help, means the world.”
Cliona’s Foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring following the death of their daughter Cliona from an inoperable brain tumour in 2006.
At the documentary’s launch, Mr Ring said it has never been more important to raise awareness for the forgotten families the foundation works with.
“The cost of living is rising daily. As a result, more families with seriously sick children or children with a life-limiting illness, who would likely not have needed our financial support before, are now coming to us for help. It is time to tell their stories so please, tune in to watch what we know will be one of the most inspiring programmes you will see in 2022,” said Mr Ring.
Cliona’s Foundation expects that at least 200 families will apply for financial assistance this year, meaning a minimum of €500,000 will need to be raised to meet these applications. To learn more and to donate, visit clionas.ie.