A young schoolgirl who overcame cancer has cut off her treasured long hair to donate to other children still battling the disease.
Cancer survivor, Erin Gallagher. Photo Brian McDaid
Brave Erin Gallagher was just three years old when she began to complain to her mum and dad about having a sore leg. Within days the little Glenswilly child was diagnosed with leukaemia.
After a lengthy two and a half year battle with the disease including heavy bouts of chemotherapy, Erin, hasn’t looked back.
Now aged 10, Erin always said she wanted to give something back to those who helped her.
This week she decided she wanted to donate her lovely hair to The Princess Trust who provide hair to make wig for young girls who whose hair has fallen out during chemotherapy.
Accompanied by loving mum Collette, Erin attended the HairDos Hair Salon close to her home in Churchill to have her hair cut.
Mum Collette admits that she was a little nervous when she realised that she was to have up to eight inches of her love hair cut off.
“It’s something she said she always wanted to do. I didn’t get a wig for Erin when she had her chemotherapy because she was only aged three years.
“Instead we got a little bandana and she was fine. But can you imagine if you are that little bit older – girl’s hair is everything to do them and I think it is probably one of the most upsetting things to lose their lovely hair,” said Collette.
Amazingly Erin found that when she had her hair cut, hairdresser Breda Doherty estimates that The Princess Trust will be able to make four pony tails from the donated hair.
Cancer survivor, Erin Gallagher from Glenswilly, pictured at her local hairdresser, HairDos with her mother Colette. Photo Brian McDaid
Collette and husband Charlie have watched each year as Erin has left behind her sickness and now only requires one check-up each year.
Little Erin has even found the time to become friends with a certain Daniel O’Donnell whom she befriended at a charity cancer event ‘Relay for Life’ some years back.
The star even has a picture of himself and little Erin on the wall in his home.
Erin Gallagher aged three when she was ill in hospital.
Collette reveals her only daughter now talks of becoming a nurse or pharmacist when she gets older.
“She is a very determined young lady and I think that’s because of all she has been through.
“To think she was so sick and I spent months on end in hospital in Crumlin with her and look at her now. She really is a miracle child,” said Erin’s mum proudly.
Cancer survivor, Erin Gallagher pictured at her local hairdresser, HairDos where she donated her ponytails to The Princess Trust to make wigs for Children With Cancer. Photo Brian McDaid
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