'No cure and no hope': Father in Carlow seeking financial help after multiple cancers diagnoses

A father of two young girls is seeking financial help after being diagnosed with multiple cancers.

39-year-old Wenderson Costa, who is originally from Brazil, lives in Bagenalstown with his wife and children, aged eight and five.

He was recently diagnosed with advanced stage 4 rectal cancer with widespread metastases, according to his GoFundMe page.

The tumours have spread to his liver, stomach, pelvic area, leg bones, ribs, and spine, with part of his spinal vertebrae having been destroyed by them.

“I underwent a very invasive and delicate surgery to decompress the nerves in my spine and had metal screws fitted where the vertebrae were destroyed. I had to undergo a permanent colostomy surgery,” Wenderson wrote.

He relies on morphine that is connected to his abdomen via a pump 24 hours a day.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are administered just for comfort and quality of life.

”There is no cure, and the doctors have given us no hope,” the page says.

His wife is “carrying this heavy burden alone” and visits Wenderson every single day at University Hospital Waterford.

She and their two daughters spend up to eight hours a day visiting, and have done so for months.

As a result, Wenderson’s wife is unable to work.

“On top of our regular monthly bills, we face daily expenses such as fuel, rent, and food, as well as daily hospital parking fees. Furthermore, we need to adapt our home for my care, which includes purchasing a specialised medical mattress, an overbed table for meals, a wheelchair, and other essential equipment,” he wrote.

At the moment, there is no discharge date for Wednerson.

“Any support you can offer—whether through a donation or by sharing our story—will help us cover our rent, travel, and living expenses during this painful journey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support,” the page concludes.