THE FAMILY AND friends of a Dublin teenager suffering from cancer have started a campaign to raise funds so he can travel to America for life-saving treatment.

Sean Lyne, a 19-year-old from Crumlin was diagnosed with a glioma brain tumour in March of this year. Doctors in Dublin have told him the cancer has reached Stage 4 so chemotherapy and radiation, although he is still undergoing them, will only shrink and control the tumour – not get rid of it. They have told him it is inoperable.

Through his own research, the young Dubliner discovered a clinic in Texas which offers treatments that could save his life. However, this treatment will cost at least €120,000.

Described as an “eternal optimist” by his friends, Sean is determined to make it to the Burzynski Clinic and his family have rallied around him.

Friends and fellow students at Ballyfermot College have organised a campaign to raise the necessary funds.

Experimental

Lyne, a trainee nurse has talked to his doctors about the experimental treatment he would receive in America. It would involve antineoplaston therapy that uses a group of synthetic chemicals to protect the body.

Although he realises the treatment is experimental and holds no guarantee, Lyne hopes to be in Texas by November.

Just a day after the campaign was set up, there are already numerous events organised, including a four-day cycle in Templebar, bucket collections outside Croke Park, bag packing and head shaving.

Health deteriorating

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, close friend Cassie Delaney explains that Sean has just undergone six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation and is “in a pretty bad way at the moment”.

“He has a break until next week,” she says, “But he will be back on 450mg of chemotherapy tablets every day next week.”

Last week, he had to return to hospital because he had a bleed in his brain.

Describing her friend, Delaney uses words such as “compassionate” and “giving” and says he is a keen GAA player. She tells me of his wish to become a nurse and how he got a distinction in all his pre-course exams. After completing his first year at Ballyfermot, he had just applied for a degree programme through the CAO system but will not be going to college for the moment.

The pair met though an African volunteer programme. However, two weeks before they were due to fly out to Malawi, Sean was given the awful diagnosis.

Sean’s mother, Mary Lyne, is the driving force behind the campaign but Delaney, a journalism student in Ballyfermot College, has been charged with gathering press attention for the cause. Her fellow student, Daragh Power has been appointed as the chair of fundraising. As a trained musician, he reckons he can make money appear – and quickly!

For more information about Sean and all the fundraising initiatives, check out the blog and the Facebook page.