Liffey Champion
Saturday 4 February 2012
By Kim Mullahey
The young son of Saoirse (Killick) Slater, originally from Loughbollard is in need of a potentially lifesaving defibrillator following a recent diagnosis of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.
The seven year old Ciaran Slater was home for Christmas with his mother and his father Saoirse and Paul Slater, and had been staying with his grandparents when he collapsed while ice skating in Dublin.
Grandparents Theresa and Paul Killick in Loughbollard, Clane are hoping to collect old mobile phones for the purchase of a defibrillator and training for its use for teachers at Gaelscoil O’Doghair, the primary school where Ciaran attends near his home in Newcastle West, County Limerick.
“The school needs 360 mobile phones for the cost of a defibrillator and for the teachers to be trained,” said Theresa.
“This is not something he will outgrow.”
Commonly known in infants as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and in adults as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, Ciaran’s heart can stop beating at any time.
Diagnosed just two days after Christmas on Tuesday, 27th December, the active boy has had to curtain all activities.
“He is a fantastic kid, into sports and very active,” said Theresa.
“He just collapsed when he was ice skating”.
“He was rushed to Crumlin Children’s Hospital (Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children,)” she said.
“He is on medication so we hope and pray he will be okay.”
“He has all the restrictions,” added Theresa, “he cannot do sports or anything like that.”
Old mobile phones can be donated by phoning Theresa and Paul Killick at 045 868789 or 087 7656833.