The Cliona Ring Foundation

The Foundation is named after Cliona who lost her very bravely fought battle against illness in December 2006.

Cliona was loved and admired by all her family, friends, neighbours and the wider community for the courage and good humour with which she faced her illness and its treatment. Cliona loved life and loved people and Brendan and Terry, Cliona's Mum and Dad, were encouraged by the strength of community spirit that Cliona inspired, especially the support shown at the mass to celebrate Cliona's life which was held in early December in the days following her passing. There was a very strong feeling amongst friends and family that the way Cliona lived her life, enjoying every possible moment despite obstacles, could provide the inspiration for something that would help other families facing illness.

After Cliona was diagnosed with cancer in 1998 her parents discovered that, in addition to the emotional drain on families in their situation, even families with good medical coverage find that the lodging, food and other non medical expenses can prove quite a hardship for some families.

The Cliona Ring Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2007 to fill a great need: providing financial assistance to families from Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness. Funds raised are not be used to pay for the child's actual medical care; rather, donations are made to families for other "hidden" costs, including hotels, restaurants, petrol and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by families who must take sick children to hospitals or other medical facilities for frequent treatments.

The Foundation raises funds and disperses financial support to families from Ireland who have children diagnosed with serious illness. Specifically, the funds are to be used to defray travel, lodging, food and miscellaneous expenses associated with visits to hospitals or other treatment facilities.

The Cliona Ring Foundation is unique in that it focuses completely on non medical assistance for the entire family during a child's treatment and recovery.

The goal of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of children and families who are dealing with the trauma of serious childhood illness. The ultimate goal of the Foundation is to assist families in remaining intact and functional during their crisis and to endeavour that all the family members, friends and neighbours affected by serious childhood illness are helped and supported and no needs are left unmet for as long as needed.

Given the nature of this Foundation, even a little money can make a great difference. Your support would be greatly appreciated.