Katie was just six years-old when she was rushed from Wexford to Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street following an horrific car accident. Katie and her sister Abby were going to their grandparents to celebrate Abby's ninth birthday with their Dad when they were involved in a car accident. While the girls had serious injuries and were immediately brought to Wexford and Waterford hospitals respectively, tragically, their Dad, PJ, died.

Abby had suffered many broken bones and would go through some reconstructive surgery to her face and eye sockets and remained in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street for eight weeks. Katie, who had severe internal damage; both her liver and spleen were damaged; was placed in an induced coma to help her body recover, one that she would remain in for seven weeks.

Katie and her Mum, Melissa spent over four months in Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street where they endured a rollercoaster journey of treatment and surgery. But as the physical injuries began to heal, the trauma of the accident and life without PJ had a devastating effect on both of them, and Katie shut down and wouldn't walk or talk.

To help cheer Katie up, Susan, the nurse manager, on Surgical Flat Ward put Katie centre stage on ‘Boss Day’. She was allowed to call the shots everywhere, bossed the staff around, ordered McDonalds for everyone and she loved every second of it. Melissa says

After four months, Katie returned home to Wexford where she was reunited with her sisters Abby and Emily. She and Abby are adjusting to life after the most traumatic time of their little lives and will both continue to have medical checkups with their specialists.

You can read Katie's full story here but know that you will be doing something amazing to help each and every child that comes through the doors of Children's Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres. Your help is vital in providing life saving and life altering services and machines to help every child through their struggles.