Baby Dan Donoher is set for blood tests next week to determine the status of his treatment.
The one-year-old, who is the son of Niall and Aisling Donoher, captured the hearts and minds of the people of Laois and around the country in recent months.
A plethora of fundraisers were organised as the target of €2.1 million was smashed in around 50 days.
Parents Aisling and Niall say: “Dan is going for his blood test next Wednesday, so we should have results in a few weeks.
“We ask everyone to continue to keep baby Dan in your thoughts and thank you all for your continued support to the bravest little boy we know.”
A massive fundraiser was launched for baby Dan Donoher on March 5, from Ballybrittas, who has been diagnosed with a rare life-threatening disease.
A GoFundMe page was 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 that is what it is hoped that Dan can avail of.
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.
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.
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.
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