Colin Farrell has paid a moving tribute to a close friend marking her ‘miracle’ 40th birthday – and revealed he is running a marathon with her.
Laois woman Emma Fogarty is Ireland’s longest-surviving person battling the most severe type of agonising skin condition, epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Her parents were told she would not live a week beyond birth but she reached her 40th birthday last month and has survived cancer twice in the interim.
Now the actor, who stars in next year’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey opposite Barbie star Margot Robbie and is also filming Netflix thriller The Ballad of a Small Player, is taking on ‘Emma’s Run to 40’ by completing October’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
Abbeyleix woman Emma, who celebrated her milestone with a reception in Killashee Hotel and Spa in Kildare on Tuesday, plans to join him in a wheelchair for the final stages of the 42km race.
Farrell hopes their run, with the public’s help, will raise €400,000 for Debra, the national charity helping 300 people living in Ireland with EB.
“Emma Fogarty is not only the strongest person I’ve ever met and a true warrior, I’m lucky enough to call her a friend,” said The Banshees of Inisherin star, 48.
“For years now, I’ve been fortunate enough to bear witness not only to her courage and her vulnerability, but her humour, her stubbornness and her great, great heart too.
“The fact that I’m getting to run the Irish Life Dublin Marathon with my friend to celebrate her 40th birthday is something I’m so excited about. She’s already won the whole day!”
Emma’s official birthday on June 25 last was one she was never expected to reach.
She fights a constant battle with the most severe form of the rare, genetic disease (recessive dystrophic EB), current life expectancy for which is 30-35 years.
Born with no skin on her left foot and right arm, it causes excruciating blisters on her skin at the mildest touch – the reason it is also known as ‘Butterfly Skin’.
“The doctors said it would be better for me not to make it, because my life would be so hard,” she said.
“No one expected me to survive for this long – because people with my type of EB almost never do – but I’ve always been encouraged to be a fighter.
“Reaching 40 shouldn’t be a miracle, but right now, it is.
“I’m asking everyone to donate to Debra, which has been like a family to me, so everyone with EB in Ireland can live the longest, fullest life possible.”
Emma has supported Dubliner Farrell for several of his Irish film premieres, but her life is lived in the constant shadow of the condition – 80% of her body is covered in layers of bandages, needed to prevent wound infection.
Changing them every second day takes four hours at a time, leaving her screaming in pain.
Funds raised during ‘Emma’s Run to 40’ on October 27 will be used to fuel pioneering research which could transform the future for everyone with EB in Ireland.
If you can support the initiative or want to join Emma in the Run to 40, visit: debra.ie/runto40
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Glitz and glamour at the Portlaoise College Debs
