Irish teenager Claudia Scanlon has thanked big-hearted Late Late show viewers after donations topped €300,000.
The brave Dubliner appeared on the Late Late Show with rugby star Johnny Sexton to talk about living with skin disease EB (epidermolysis bullosa).
In a touching video from her Dublin home, she said: “A big, big thank you for all the support after the Late Late Show.
“I honestly don’t know what we would have done without you all.”
Claudia has a severe form of the butterfly skin disease EB , a genetic disease that causes the skin, both inside and out, to blister at the slightest touch.
With 80% of her body covered in open wounds, she has to go through daily bandaging sessions which can last up to three hours.
And she told host Ryan Tubridy during last Friday night’s interview that her hands are deteriorating due to the skin fusing.
But the bright and bubbly 17-year-old says she hopes to be a make-up artist after her Leaving Cert.
In today’s video thanking supporters, she said: “It is hard times for everyone during this pandemic, and I know it is very hard for everyone to give to charity, so I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for supporting and donating to Debra Ireland.
“This means so much to me, so much to Debra and most importantly, it means so much to the EB community.
“Without fundraising there is no research and no research, no cure – so this is all going towards, hopefully, one day finding a cure for people living with EB.
“I want to say a huge thank you and I love you all.”
Claudia’s mum Liz, who also appeared on the show, said she was humbled and honoured at the outpouring of support and love towards her daughter.
“It was so uplifting to see you all get behind her and our EB families. I cannot fix my daughter’s skin but through the work and advocacy of Debra Ireland, you are helping to create a proper roadway to services and eventually a cure to stop this cruel condition in its tracks,” she said.
Michelle Reynolds, head of fundraising and marketing at Debra Ireland said that the charity is completely blown away by the €300,000 total and deeply grateful for the outpouring of support.
You can still donate to her at debraireland.org.
