Teenage DJ refuses to let cancer stop him from performing
Louise Walsh
A talented teenage DJ who is refusing to let cancer stop his career is staging a marathon dance session for charity, despite undergoing gruelling chemotherapy.
Although Rowan O'Neill endured intensive chemotherapy earlier this week which left him sick and fatigued, the teen is staging the gig to give back to the Irish Cancer Society and all in the oncology unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth.
The 18-year-old is determined to win his battle against stage four Hodgkin's Lymphoma which he was finally diagnosed with in January, after medics missed his symptoms for almost three years.
He says he initially went to a medics with a lump in his neck but was told it was glandular fever and a second visit to doctors when a sore lump appeared under his armpit after Christmas was dismissed as an infection.
"After I came back from holidays, I went to the emergency department with my mother and demanded a scan. After a wait of 18 hours, I was admitted and kept for almost three weeks for tests and treatment after I was told I had cancer," he said.
"It had spread to my chest by then and I had a 7cm tumour. Once I was admitted, the doctors were on the ball and I started chemotherapy pretty much straight away.
"I've had two long and rough chemotherapy sessions and doctors say they will probably give me another two intensive ones because the scan showed the treatment was working.
"The treatment is horrible. It's everything you think it is going to be and worse. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'm also losing my hair but it will grow back. I'd rather lost my hair than my life."
Rowan is remaining positive through it all and is now concentrating on helping others by using his skills as a DJ to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society in a 14-hour music session in a barbershop, which will also see barbers and tattoo artists available on the day as well as face painting for children.
Rowan, who has just completed a course in music production, has already raised over €12,000 for the worthy charity.
"I love being on the deck and I was doing well until I got sick but everything is kicking off again, maybe not the wait I wanted but everyone's journey is different.
"The cancer set me back but I will fight it. It's just a hassle to me at a time when I should be living my life but you have to make the best out of a bad situation.
"But I'm still on the decks every day. I don't care if I'm being sick from the chemotherapy in the toilet by my deck, I'll still get out there."
Last weekend Rowan hit the decks to a packed floor at the Earth dancefloor in Drogheda and is delighted by the support from people and even his favourite DJs who have started to follow him on social media.
"BLK and Alex Farrell have started following me which is amazing and so many people have been so supportive. Just a huge thanks to them and to my sister Jade, Smack Madn and Warren Wealan for organising this event.
"My DJ career has only started and I'm still a kid. Imagine what it is going to be like in four years from now!
The Chops and Chunes 4 Charity gig starts at 9am in the ChopShop, Stockwell Lane in Drogheda on Sunday, April 27th. Donations can be made to fundraise.cancer.ie/fundraisers/jadeoneill/daffodil-day-fundraiser
