A COUNTY WEXFORD mother spoke movingly this week about the passing of her beloved daughter earlier this year. Aimee Toner was just thirteen months old when she passed away after a battle with cancer on February 23 last.

Her parents Karen and Alan, have set up the Aimee Toner Memorial Fund, to raise funds for the ward where Aimee received treatment, and also for neuroblastoma research.

The couple have lived in Kilmuckridge for the past four years. Aimee's younger brother Ciaran was born just five weeks after his sister passed away.

'Aimee was our first,' said Karen this week. 'She was diagnosed when she was eight months old, and had chaeomotherapy and surgery in January.'

'She had a neuroblastoma - the most aggressive type,' she explained. 'It didn't respond to chaemo, and the prognosis was really bad, but she did really well. She went in every week for chaemo. They were highly toxic drugs.'

She said that Aimee went in to hospital for treatment for three days a week and then went home. 'She only got sick once,' she said. ' We brought her to Wexford and she did extremely well.'

She added that the consultant in Crumlin had said she was so strong and was doing so well. 'People didn't believe me when I told them she had cancer,' said Karen. 'She just did not look sick.'

Aimee underwent surgery in January to have 85 per cent of the tumour removed. She nearly died in surgery. 'She was losing blood quicker than they could get it into her,' said Karen. 'It was the worst case of bleeding they had ever seen.'

She said it was a miracle that she got through the surgery. 'She was great after the surgery, and was due to go for a bone marrow transplant later. She was the best we'd ever seen her. She was the happiest baby,' said Karen.

However, in February a complication from the surgery developed, and there was a build up of fluid on one of her lungs. When she was admitted to hospital, it was discovered the tumour had come back and had spread.

Karen and Alan were told treatment wasn't an option, and that if they wished, they should bring her home. ' The consultant said she was clear on the Thursday and on Sunday, her body was covered in tumours,' said Karen. 'It took us a day to decide what to do, and then they flew us home by helicopter as we didn't have much time.'

The helicopter landed in Gorey, and a Garda escort brought Aimee home to Kilmuckridge. The family gathered at home and were with Aimee in the final hours. On the advice of a nurse, it was decided to bring Aimee to somewhere they loved.

Karen and Alan brought her to the nearby beach, where at 3.40 p.m., Aimee passed away.

' They thought she would die in the hospital, and then on the way home, but she hung on for nine hours,' said Karen.

' Telling her story, it's like it happened to someone else,' she said.

Aimee's little brother Ciaran was born five weeks later. 'He has helped us,' said Karen. She added that their fundraising work is also helping. She said they found comfort in the many emails and calls of support they have received from the public. 'It really does help you,' she said. 'It takes something like this before you realise how good people can be. Everyone in Kilmuckridge has been so supportive.'

- FINTAN LAMBE