€35K raised for Irish man receiving cancer treatment in Vancouver

23-year-old Luke was diagnosed with B Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of lymphatic cancer, last week.

The Santry native, who has been living in Canada since 2020, is currently receiving treatment in St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver to improve his health enough so that he can return home to Dublin.

When he returns to Ireland, he will immediately begin “aggressive” cancer treatment.

However, Luke’s hospital bills have proved to be “very costly” since he was admitted earlier this month, and expenses are expected to rise even further.

Friends of the Dubliner have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of his treatment with a total goal of $70,000 (approximately €49,164).

To date, $48,917 (approximately €34,349) has been raised since the fundraiser was set up just two days ago.

Writing on the GoFundMe page, organiser Isobel Standring said: “Please help Luke and his family in any way that you can. It will be a long journey ahead, and we all hope that financial burden is one thing that they will not need to be worried about.

“This has been a complete shock to us all, as everyone can imagine. We ask that you keep Luke in your thoughts and prayers, but at this time, if you could please withhold your messages and calls of love and concern for a few days while Luke and his family navigate through these tough initial times.

“Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for any donation, big or small - every single penny helps.

“We will be sure to update you as Luke's journey progresses. On behalf of Luke, big love!”

In an update, Ms Standring thanked those who donated to the fundraiser for their “generous” contributions and said that Luke is “definitely feeling the love.”

Those who wish to donate to the fundraiser can do so here.