Irish Toddler’s Fight for Life Raises Over €200k
An Offaly couple has rallied their community to raise a staggering €200,000 for life-saving surgery for their two-year-old son, Joey Conway. The toddler battles a rare and deadly liver disorder that has turned his short life into a medical nightmare.
Joey’s Early Life a Medical Rollercoaster
Joey’s ordeal started at birth. He was struck by a severe Group A Strep infection that left him ventilated in ICU for two weeks at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. He then survived two bouts of sepsis, the first hitting when he was just eight months old. His mum, Natalie, recalls the heart-wrenching moments vividly:
“Those moments are not easy; you would swap places with him in a heartbeat. The cries and the whimpering when he was handed back to me are moments I will never forget.”
Desperate Fight Against Deadly Liver Condition
Now diagnosed with Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT), Joey suffers from Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension—a rare liver condition with a 40% risk of death during the first bleeding episode. The only treatment available in Ireland requires him to endure up to four painful oesophageal banding surgeries a year to prevent fatal bleeding.
But hope is on the horizon. A US procedure offers a chance to bypass the liver obstruction and restore normal blood flow, dramatically improving Joey’s outlook. The catch? The surgery costs €330,000—well beyond what the family can afford.
Community Steps Up to Save Joey
The family launched a GoFundMe to cover the massive bill. Thanks to overwhelming community generosity, they’ve raised over €200,000 and are inching closer to their goal.
“Joey is the funniest two-year-old boy with the biggest smile and the most contagious laugh that would brighten up the darkest day,” Natalie said. “He is the bravest little man, loved dearly by his big sister Molly and little brother Jordi.”
Joey’s parents live in constant worry, battling each new health scare. Natalie added, “As parents, we feel like we are constantly putting out fires instead of quenching them, especially at this time of year with every bug going around.”
The family remains hopeful that with continued support, Joey can get the life-saving surgery he needs and finally enjoy a brighter, healthier future.
