A Laois GAA referee has released a song with all proceeds going to the ‘Do It For Dan’ campaign.
Seamus ‘Shay’ Mulhare, from The Heath, has released ‘Wish You Well’ today with all funds going towards baby Dan Donoher who needs life saving treatment.
The 39-year-old prison officer would be very well known in GAA circles as a player with The Heath and lately as a referee.
He is on the national football panel, and reffed the O’Byrne Cup final between Offaly and Longford this year in O’Connor Park.
He also officiated in the National Football league this year before the season took a break because of the current Coronavirus crisis.
Mulhare would also be very well known in the music and theater sphere as well.
His previous bands include ‘Splurge’ and ‘The Matadors of Fate’.
He has starred in the on-stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar by Portlaoise Musical Society, and made his film debut in Isabelle Blanche’s critically acclaimed short film ‘Waiting’.
Speaking to LaoisToday, Mulhare said: “I am extremely moved by the story of ‘Do It For Dan’ and I wanted to do something to help Dan and his parents Aisling and Niall.
“This is an upbeat tune and we could all do with a lift in the times that we now find ourselves in.
“So I hope that people like it and I hope they can support Do It For Dan by buying a copy for just €2.”
With lyrics and music by Bernard Fanning, ‘Wish You Well’ is produced by Brian O’ Mahony, mastered by Richard Dowling at WAV Mastering and recorded at Golden Egg Studios in Portlaoise.
The song is available to listen to here and can be purchased from this link for just €2.
There was to be an official launch of the single on April 5 in Kavanagh’s but that has had to be put on ice due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
However, a music video directed by Isabelle Blanche will be out next week.
A massive fundraiser was launched for baby Dan Donoher on March 5, son of Niall and Aisling Donoher from Ballybrittas, who has been diagnosed with a rare life-threatening disease.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the little boy with a genetic neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 and Scoliosis.
A breakthrough treatment is available in the USA and to meet the cost, a target of €2million has been set.
The reaction to the fundraiser has been huge with €404,000 raised so far from more than 12,000 different people.
People are not just raising money but awareness too as people are sharing the GoFundMe page on multiple social media platforms.
Dan’s parents Niall and Aisling (Nee Quigley) are very well known in the Laois GAA community.
Niall represented Laois footballers at all levels until his retirement at the end of the 2018 season while Aisling, originally from Timahoe, played for the Laois ladies team for a long number of years too. The couple live in Jamestown, on the old main Dublin Road near Ballybrittas.
Dan was diagnosed with this disease last December at the age of 8 months.
The life expectancy of an SMA type 1 child is 18-24 months.
A ground breaking treatment called Zolgensma is currently only available in USA and costs 2.1 million dollars for a once off infusion.
Studies show that Zolgensma can substantially improve quality of life and survival of this horrific disease.
This treatment is only available to children under the age of two and who meet the requirements.
Dan currently qualifies but “we are against the clock” his parents explain.
About one in every 11,000 children are diagnosed with SMA. It had been incurable, but with this wonder drug on the market it offers Dan a chance at improved or even a normal life.
SEE ALSO – Laois horse owner pledges winnings from Wexford win to ‘Do It For Dan’
