A GoFundMe, launched for Jonathan McCowen, a Portarlington dad with an aggressive form of Motor Neuron disease, has raised more than $700,000.
It is a phenomenal achievement and a spokesperson for the group behind the fundraiser thanked everyone involved.
A spokesperson said: “It has taken phenomenal support from an army of people around the globe to get us this far.
“The overwhelming support that the campaign has received since we launched on July 1st is testament to the man that Johnny is.
“Throughout his life, Johnny has made -and maintained -friendships. Those friendships have resulted in fundraising events being set up not only in Ireland, but around the world.
“The goodwill and warm wishes towards Johnny, Sherie, Darcy and Riley is truly heartwarming.
“Friends, acquaintances and total strangers have supported the family with messages, likes and comments on social media- and by donating generously. Thank you for your support.
“Every donation brings Johnny closer to realising his dream to provide a home for his girls.
“We haven’t reached our goal yet. With your help, we’ll get there!”
In August last year Jonathan McCowen had a good and ‘normal’ life: a secure job, a cheeky, cute 2-year-old daughter, Darcy, and he and his beautiful wife Sherie were expecting their second daughter Riley.
Sherie was six months pregnant in September 2021 when everything changed frighteningly quickly.
One day a colleague at work asked Jonathan if he was ok. She said that he was “talking slowly”. He began to notice other symptoms.
Appointment after appointment of “ruling out” the causes of these symptoms led to an awful and terrible truth – everything pointed to ALS. ALS is a cruel Motor Neurone Disease for which there is no cure.
He and Sherie held onto every hope it was something else. Unfortunately, not only was it ALS, but in Jonathan’s case it is far more aggressive than doctors thought.
In less than a year, his condition has deteriorated to the point that he cannot talk or walk. He is fed via a PEG tube into his abdomen.
Jonathan moved to Australia many years ago, and at the time of his diagnosis he was living in Vancouver in Canada, where both his daughters were born. His links with Portarlington have remained very strong over the years.
Jonathan “Micko” was a member of the Portarlington Senior Football team that won the County Final in 2001.
His father, the late Jon McCowen, was on the Portarlington County Final winning teams in 1954, ’55 and ‘59.
Shortly after his ALS diagnosis, Jonathan came home to Ireland for a short visit and was delighted to be present to see the Portarlington Senior Football team win the County Final again in November last year.
And he was thrilled to see them complete the three in a row at the weekend also.
The target remains at $750,000 and it is now firmly hoped that this can be achieved.
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