Dubliners are being asked to light a candle at 7:45 this evening as a mark of respect for brave Whitehall teenager Robyn Smyth, who sadly lost her battle with cancer yesterday.
Childhood Cancer Ireland Foundation is calling on the public the honour the "courageous little lady" who died aged fifteen from neuroblastoma, a rare and cruel cancer she had fought valiantly since she was just a toddler.
Robyn, 15, had gone into remission from the disease after groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment in the US and was looking forward to celebrating a cancer-free Christmas as recently as the end of 2018.
However, less than 6 weeks later, in late January of last year, mum Bernadette Dornan revealed that her brave little girl had relapsed.
Sadly, Robyn lost her 12 year battle yesterday morning when she passed away at her north Dublin home surrounded by her loving family.
Earlier today, Bernadette appealed to the public to continue donating to the trust set up in Robyn's name to fund much needed research into neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of child cancer.
She said: "There is no centre of excellence or research facility here in Ireland for this cancer.
"In time, we are hoping to set-up, with the help of the public and their donations, a programme that will help other sufferers of this disease to find a cure."
Robyn’s funeral will take place at 11am in a private ceremony on Saturday at the Church of the Holy Child in Whitehall, with cremation afterwards.
Strict burial restrictions of no more than 10 people in attendance will be carried out under HSE guidelines.
Her death notice on RIP.ie says that Robyn died peacefully "at home surrounded by her loving family; beloved daughter of Bernadette and Leighton and loving sister of Millie".
It continues: "Sadly missed by her heartbroken mam, dad, sister, Martina, grandad Colm, nanny’s Madeline and Kathleen, aunts Cathy, Caroline and Laura, cousins Faith, Teaghan, Kayla, Ava and Cole also her aunts Janet and Lorraine and all her uncles, extended family friends and neighbours.
"A sincere thank you to all Robyn’s life followers for their kindness, help and support."
A memorial for Robyn will take place at a later date.
Donations can be made to Robyn’s Life Trust here. Visit robynslife.com to find out more about this brave and inspirational little girl.
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