GoFundMe for Cork woman raises €44k in less than 48 hours

Thu, 04 Nov, 2021 - 13:08

Martha Brennan and Ann Murphy

A GOFUNDME campaign that was set up to raise money for the inpatient care of a Cork woman with a debilitating eating disorder has raised over €33.7k in just 24 hours.

The campaign was set up by the friends and family of Lisa Murphy, who has been battling bulimia and anorexia for over a decade.

Despite a suicide attempt earlier this year, Ms Murphy has not been able to receive private inpatient care because she doesn’t have health insurance.

Nor has she been able to receive care in one of the three inpatient beds for eating disorders in the country.

Ms Murphy first started speaking with The Echo privately before going public with her case this week in order to raise awareness.

“This is the last thing I wanted to do – to put my very private life out there for anyone to read – but it is the only option, the only chance I have of surviving this,” she said.

Ms Murphy also spoke about her experiences on Drivetime yesterday, where she said that she can "barely function" on a day-to-day basis.

"I'm in a lot of pain. It's just relentless. It feels like I'm not in control of my own body. If I can't access this treatment I think I'm out of options," she said.

"It should be the case that the space is there for people that need that extra level of care and a bit more support."

Ms Murphy has been admitted to hospital emergency departments at least seven times in the past year and is currently attending an outpatients clinic in Dublin.

Those close to her decided to take matters into their own hands and raise money for private care through GoFundMe, launching a campaign yesterday.

“We felt like we were watching her die before our eyes as we could see how unwell she is and the pressure her body is under because it is so badly affected by years of abuse,” the blurb on the website reads.

In the past two days, nearly 2000 people have donated, with nearly all of the money needed to get Ms Murphy into a 12-week program in Dublin raised.

The €60,000 goal is currently shy of just under €14,000.

“The best possible chance for Lisa to recover from her illness and live a normal life, free of the pain she has been living with for so long, is inpatient treatment. It is the only option left to her,” Ms Murphy’s friends wrote on the website.

“We have been assured by a residential treatment facility that as soon as we raise the funds, Lisa will secure a place on a 12-week inpatient eating disorder programme.

“Please help in any way that you can, no matter how small the donation - it all counts.”

To make a donation click here or search 'Help us help our friend Lisa' on GoFundMe.com.

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