Friday, July 15, 2011 NEWS NEWS 27

His platelet count was so low his ❝ blood was not clotting at all - he

was haemorrhaging. The normal

platelet level of a new baby would be between 150,000 and 300,000. ❝ Rory's was just 15,000 FEATURES Famous teacher’s writings launched

Louise Gill with her sons Rory, Matthew adn Daniel as they celebrate Daniel’s fourth birthday.

Vincent Breslin. Mother is only one of three collection of the writings of one of 's premier teachers is Abeing launched next week- end in . ‘Sealóga agus Siosmaid’ by the with rare blood disorder late Sean MacFionnlaoich has been published to celebrate the 100th an- mother of the hope that more people become Rory was born, knew right away is there,” Louise said. niversary of his birth on . three boys is one of three aware of the serious risk this genetic something was wrong with his blood. Because it is one of many rare The stories have been collected by known sufferers in Ireland disorder poses for babies. I am very grateful to all the staff who blood conditions there is no test his nephew Vincent Breslin, a former Afrom a rare blood disorder “When Rory was born I had no looked after us,” Louise said. done for it. Both the partners and teacher at Falcarragh Community which can cause a baby’s death be- idea there was anything wrong. After a number of blood transfu- mother’s blood can be tested for the College. fore or shortly after birth. When he was delivered part of his sions Rory was able to go home two gene and on occasion sisters can also Speaking to the this Louise Gill was thrilled to be cele- scalp came off and there was so weeks after he was born have it. Only when Louise was ex- week in advance of the launch Vin- brating her second son Matthew’s much blood the doctors through he pecting baby Daniel did she discover cent explained that the author was birthday on Tuesday, knowing how had had a brain haemorrhage. I was NO TESTING other people affected by NAIT. his former principal teacher. different the outcome could have terrified. His platelet count was so It is Louise’s long-term goal that “I thought to myself I cannot be “He taught all over Donegal and been. She and partner Pascal have low his blood was not clotting at all - some day all mothers and their part- the only person in the world with then he moved to . He was three boys, Rory (6), Matthew (4) and he was haemorrhaging. The normal ners will be routinely screened for this rare condition and online I found expelled by the Irish National Teach- Daniel 18 months. platelet level of a new baby would be NAIT. With the treatment that is a Yahoo support site which was set ers’ Organisation (INTO) because he Louise discovered she has a rare between 150,000 and 300,000. Rory's available once the condition is diag- up by one woman in the USA. Her used to teach on Saturdays. Students genetic disorder known as neonatal was just 15,000. nosed, mother’s can go on to have son was seriously disabled because who wanted to ensure they would alloimmune thrombocytopenia or “Thankfully Dr Hennessy, who healthy babies. of the condition. At NAIT we hope to get their scholarships came from all NAIT after Rory was born. was the Consultant Haematologist at “When I was expecting Matthew let more people know about the con- over Ireland to be taught by him. His When the unborn baby’s platelets General Hospital where and Daniel I was under the care of dition and what help there is. Sadly I students at one stage held five of the (the smallest of the three major Dr Hennessy who drew up a treat- have spoken to mothers who have six first places in Irish. types of blood cells) are not recog- ment plan for me called IVIG - intra- lost their babies because of NAIT. “He was married to Eileen Breslin, nised by the mother's body, she I am looking for sponsors venus immunoglobulin. I received “NAIT the teddy will visit Falcar- sister of my late father - Cormac sometimes makes antibodies which this in Letterkenny General Day Ser- ragh later this year. He is gong Breslin who was a TD. attach to the baby's platelets causing to help me raise as much vices Unit from the 20 week stage of around the world meeting families “Most of the stories in the book the babies platelet count to drop dra- my pregnancies. It is a very time affected by the disease that he is were published in various Irish mag- matically. This can cause babies to as possible to help NAIT consuming treatment, taking up to 8 named after to heighten awareness azines over the years and I have bleed into their brain, stomach or hours each week and lasted until the among the public. brought them together. One of the spinal chord, prior to or shortly after and every penny will go 35th week. “I am looking for sponsors to help stories is said to be the definitive sto- birth. Babies can be at serious risk of “I had to go to Holles Street Hospi- me raise as much as possible to help ry about Gola Island and its people. brain damage or death. to them. So far the group tal in to see Dr McPartland NAIT and every penny will go to Another offers a wonderful history Because of her traumatic experi- who is the leading doctor in foetal them. So far the group only have of Gweedore,” Vincent explained. ence Louise is trying to raise aware- only have around £500 medicine in the country. He matched around £500 and you need a mini- The book will be launched in ness of the rare condition and is the platelets for the my unborn ba- mum of £5,000 to register a charity,” Teach Huidi in Bunbeg by Minister of working closely with a newly found- and you need a minimum bies and you can be transfused while Louise added. State for the Dinny McGin- ed charity in Britain doing the same. of £5,000 to register a lying there. Both of my younger sons Anyone seeking further informa- ley TD. She plans to run the 5K were born by C-section and there tion on NAIT can go to the website at Published by Coiscéim, the book on July 29 and do the Falcarragh fun charity platelet counts were fine. It is easy to www.naitbabies.org or contact will retail for €10. run to raise funds for the charity in treat the condition once they know it Louise on 0861795410