A mum-of-three who is battling an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer has said she feels ‘so loved and proud of my country’ after thousands of people donated to her fundraiser.
Sharon Ball, from Bohermeen, Co Meath, was diagnosed with stage 4 skull-based osteosarcoma in October 2025 and has since undergone chemotherapy, which unfortunately was not successful.
Last week, a fundraiser was launched to raise €650,000 for brain surgery in New York, with several Irish celebs throwing their support behind it. In just a matter of days, the target was smashed, with more than €763,000 being donated for Sharon and her family.
Mum-of-three Sharon Ball from Co Meath, who is fighting cancer. Pic: GoFundMe
Speaking as she flew to America on Monday, Sharon, who is a teacher, shared an update and thanked everyone for helping her get to New York.
She said: ‘I would love to hug you and thank you all individually. This journey would not be possible without all of you. You have given me hope. Continue to keep me in your prayers.
‘Leaving Ireland today, I felt so loved and proud of my country. Since the second the GoFundMe went out, people helped in every way they could, from donating, sharing, and making this trip as comfortable as possible. I will be forever thankful.’
HELP SHARON GET URGENT LIFE SAVING BRAIN SURGERY. Pic: GoFundMe
Sharon started to feel unwell last October when she was on maternity leave with her then three-month old daughter, Sophie, but put her headaches down to an ear infection.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, family friend Gearóid Rennicks said that Sharon was due to have an operation in Ireland on March 18, but it was called off the day before.
He said: ‘It was shocking, but in fairness, credit to Sharon, she’s very proactive. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she went straight into solution mode, and that’s what brought us then to contact hospitals around the world.’
Sharon and her loved ones found an option at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where doctors said they were optimistic about operating.
HELP SHARON GET URGENT LIFE SAVING BRAIN SURGERY. Pic: GoFundMe
Treatment in the US is expensive, so the family decided to start a GoFundMe, with them ‘overwhelmed’ by the reaction to the fundraiser. They still don’t know what the final cost of the treatment will be.
Gearóid continued: ‘[Sharon] just wants to see her nine-month-old daughter Sophie take her first step, say her first word.
‘She just wants to see her kids grow up and see all the things that we all hope to see our kids do and that we would probably take for granted slightly, but she’s just in a situation where that could be taken away from her.’
Writing on Sharon’s GoFundMe page, her loved ones said: ‘Sharon is a 38-year-old wife, daughter, and sister, and most importantly, a devoted mother to three young children, Jack, aged six, Louis, aged four, and Sophie, who is just 9 months old.
HELP SHARON GET URGENT LIFE SAVING BRAIN SURGERY. Pic: GoFundMe
‘She is determined to do everything she can to be there to watch them grow up. Her family and friends are now urgently trying to raise the funds needed to make this surgery possible as quickly as possible. Time is critical.
‘Every donation—no matter how big or small—will make a real difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us reach as many people as possible. We are incredibly grateful for any support you can give. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion.’
In just a matter of days, the €650,000 target was reached, and as of the morning of March 31, more than €763,000 has been raised with over 17,000 people donating.
Among the familiar faces sharing Sharon’s fundraiser were celeb photographer Jenny McCarthy, who herself has had brain surgery, and her husband, TV presenter Martin King.
Jenny McCarthy throws her support behind Irish mum Sharon Ball who needs surgery in New York. Pic: Jenny McCarthy / Instagram
‘I normally NEVER ask for donations, but I’m praying you might help here if you can,’ Jenny wrote as she shared a link to the fundraiser.
Jenny continued: ‘This is Sharon, aged 38 yrs. I photographed her wedding and her beautiful children, too. Sharon has stage 4 Osteosarcoma of the skull.
‘Unfortunately, she needs to get to NYC asap for treatment as it hasn’t been possible here. Having been through 2 brain surgeries myself, I know how scary this is. Sharon wants to be here for her three babies.’
Kayleigh Trappe also shared Sharon’s GoFundMe, saying that she’s a teacher who works with her fiancé, Tom.
Kayleigh said: ‘She’s an absolute lady, a teacher who works with Tom, who needs surgery. We’re going to try to get the donations in. Everything, big or small, is really appreciated.’
Donate to Sharon’s GoFundMe here.