Diagnosed with cancer when she was just 12 years old, she was cured of the cancer after two years of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but the stage was set for a lifetime of complications.
Over the past 40 years, Maurice has undergone a complete heart transplant, two hip replacements, a kidney transplant, an amputated leg, and a bleed on the brain.
And just last week, the Wicklow native was diagnosed with untreatable bladder cancer. So he and his partner Aoife Collins are trying to raise money to take a much-needed holiday, unsure of how much time they have left.
“Unfortunately, there's nothing they can do about the cancer at this point because my immune system is incapable of any treatment,” explains Maurice, who has worked as a chef for more than 25 years. “The doctors said there was nothing they could do, so all I can do is get on with my life. It would be a dream come true to be away from Aoife for more than a few days.”
Maurice is one of the oldest surviving heart recipients in the country, and after his kidney transplant, he requires dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time.
Therefore, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday he has to be admitted to a local dialysis unit to survive, and being away from home for more than three days is not an option.
“I used to be able to organize holiday dialysis at home and abroad through the wonderful Irish Kidney Society, but since Covid-19 that has become impossible,” said Maurice, who met with him in 2016. Aoife, who was also battling cancer at the time, explains:
“As a result, we've never been apart for more than three nights together, and we've never been far apart. Every trip requires dialysis, so there's no escape mentally or physically.”
Aoife, who previously ran a successful cake business in Drogheda and was a talented glass designer, now splits her time between being Maurice's full-time carer.
“There is so much uncertainty about the future and we really don’t know how much time we have left, so we decided to experience a proper holiday while Maurice is still well enough to enjoy one. We are trying to raise 10,000 euros to help them,” she explains. . “Dialysis and wheelchair accessibility are major obstacles, so I would like to go on a cruise where I can fit dialysis into my schedule and avoid accessibility issues (steps, hills, narrow doors, etc.).
“So Maurice can take a few precious days to let down his beard, enjoy some sightseeing and sunbathing, and have a truly well-deserved break from all his medical attention.”
Maurice and Aoife must also be accompanied by medical staff, which incurs additional costs and insurance is expensive for such trips.
“We recognize that dialysis on a ship costs thousands of dollars and asking people to fund this is a challenge, but Maurice He always has a positive attitude no matter what happens, and I really welcome that.''He has something to look forward to,'' says Aoife.
Maurice doesn't really care where he goes, but says he prefers somewhere warmer than Ireland.
“I like to feel a little heat in my bones without it being too hot, and it gets really cold during dialysis, so a little sunshine is great,” he says with a smile. “We only started this page a few days ago, but I have to say that I have already been completely blown away by the generosity of the people of Drogheda. Many people don’t know me from Adam, but I am donating money to make my wish come true.”
The couple's positivity and resilience has been truly amazing and Maurice says they are making the best of everything they have had to face.
“I don't want to start crying. I've been crying all my life and I don't want to go down that road, because once I start singing, I can't stop,” Maurice says.
“Serious illness just changes your outlook and perspective on life, but there's nothing you can do but get through it, like I've always done.”
If you would like to donate to Maurice and Aoife's fundraiser, please click here. here.
