Dovile and Gintaras Story

In June 2021, Dovile and Gintaras' son Gabrielius was 12 years old when he started to experience headaches and vomiting.  The GP referred Gabrielius to Cavan General Hospital for scans where a cyst was found.  Gabrielius was referred to Temple Street Childrens Hospital 2 days later and a 5 hour surgery was performed to remove what the family believed to be a cyst.

Four days after the surgery Gabrielius was sent home.  One week later the family received a call to return to the hospital to discuss more treatment.  Heartbreakingly, it was then that Gabrielius was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme.  Gabrielius
started chemotherapy and radiation for one and half months which resulted in Gabrielius being tumour free.  Gabrielius recovered well from this treatment and was able to return home in August
2021.  He returned to school and normal life with his family and friends.  He attended monthly check up scans in Temple Street following his return home. 

Unfortunately, in February 2022 Gabrielius felt unwell with headaches and began to have seizures at home where his family rushed him to Cavan General Hospital.  He was made comfortable in Cavan Hospital and was then transferred to Temple Street Hospital.  An MRI scan was completed where it showed a slight bleed on the brain and Gabrielius was taken straight to surgery. The next day a shunt was surgically placed to help drain any build up of fluid from his brain.  The following day on the 9^th February, the medical team came to Gabrielius and his family to give them the heartbreaking news that the cancer returned to his spine.  Gabrielius mum, Dovile, asked the doctors if he is dying and the doctors replied ‘Yes’. 

Throughout this time, Gabrielius was incredibly strong and brave and regularly told his family everything was going to be ok.   Gabrielius would always say ‘I am a star and I don’t care’

Just over 5 weeks later on the 18^th March 2022, Gabrielius unfortunately passed away surrounded by his mum Dovile, dad Gintaras, his brother Gvidonas and all his family, friends and loved ones.  

His family feel so blessed and thankful for the most amazing care and treatment they received in Temple Street Hospital.  From the nurses to the doctors, from the cleaners to the friendly staff in the canteen they would like to take this opportunity to give something back.

Kingspan Century Ltd together with Dovile and Gintaras, would like to take this years Christmas Jumper Day as an opportunity to raise as much monies as possible for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.  We are raising funds that will go towards vital life-saving equipment for the wards, theatres, departments and ICU’s in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street.

Gabrielius’ favourite colour was green and ironically this is the symbol of Hope.  Dovile and Gintaras would be delighted to see as many people as possible wearing green Christmas jumpers on the 9^th
of December.

Without a doubt you will be doing something really special by supporting our Christmas Jumper Day in memory of Gabrielius Buikys.  

‘Gabrielius will always shine in our hearts like a star in the sky’                 – Dovile, Gintaras and Gvidonas