A remarkable County Laois woman’s being celebrated by world-renowned actor Colin Farrell.
Emma Fogarty is Ireland’s longest-surviving sufferer of severe, agonising skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and also survived cancer twice.
The Abbeyleix woman’s parents were told when she was born that she wouldn’t live longer than a week however yesterday (Tuesday) she marked her 40th birthday with a reception at the Killashee Hotel and Spa in County Kildare.
The 48-year-old Irish screen star paid a moving tribute to Emma and is pledging to take on ‘Emma’s Run to 40’ by completing the 27th of October’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon which she aims to join him in the final stages in her wheelchair.
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 – funds raised will be used to fuel pioneering research which could transform the future for everyone with EB in Ireland.
He says; “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.”
The Banshees of Inisherin lead adds “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”.
And he says “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, who was born with no skin on her left foot and right arm, and suffers from excruciating blisters on her skin at the mildest touch, says “The doctors said it would be better for me not to make it, because my life would be so hard.”
“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.”
More details and donate here.
