Community rally around Mayo underage star after cancer diagnosis

The Play4Emma GoFundMe page set an initial target of €10,000 but by Tuesday, they had already eclipsed seven times their goal. Denise Carroll is a family friend of the Langans on the outskirts of Killala in County Mayo. She has organised the fundraising efforts to help 14-year-old Emma Langan recover from her cancer diagnosis. The Mayo underage star, whose mother passed away from cancer just three years ago, was told she has leukemia last week. And now the local community has come out in force to provide a helping hand.

Moygownagh will host the Play4Emma Fundraising Day this afternoon. There will be Halloween Fancy Dress for all age groups in the hall at 3pm, along with Halloween games, and tricks and treats. Then, at 4pm, St Brigid's U-16 will face McHale Rovers.

There will also be music and refreshments after the match and all proceeds will go to Emma and her family.

"This is all going to help with medical expenses, travel costs, food, and any other expenses that are involved throughout Emma’s treatment plan," said Denise Carroll.

"There will be buckets on the gate. We are selling raffle tickets. There are so many generous spot prizes from all the local businesses far and wide. It’s not even just in the small community you have here alone. It’s the towns of Ballina, Crossmolina, Lahardane, Killala, Ballycastle.

"Everyone is pulling together and trying to raise as much money as possible. Every cent is needed and every cent is so greatly appreciated, by the community and Langan family. Everybody wants to do what we can and that’s all we can do for now. Fundraise, fundraise, and fundraise." Emma Langan has four sisters. Ciara, Niamh, and Siobhan (23) are triplets, while Orla is 21. And their family were rocked in 2019 when