The death of a young Co Tyrone GAA player following a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis has spurred his brother to lead fundraising efforts in his memory and to campaign for greater awareness of the condition.
Cahir O’Hagan, from Clonoe, died last October at the age of 25 as a result of the illness, which causes excess mucus to damage the lungs.
He was involved with clubs Clonoe O’Rahillys and Naomh Colum Cille, though his condition meant he could only play for up to 10 minutes at a time.
He was eventually forced to give up contact sports after a surgical procedure, which his family says “devastated” him.
Following a deterioration in his health in 2022, Cahir was placed on the waiting list for a double lung transplant last year, but after contracting a common cold in September, he was hospitalised before passing away surrounded by his family the following month.
His brother, Paul O’Hagan, is the business development manager for EvoQuip, which produces compact machinery at the Terex sites in Dungannon and Omagh.
Led by the EvoQuip team, Terex has raised £2,050 in honour of Cahir, with the sum to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
“Cahir was not just a younger brother; he was an inspiration and a source of motivation for all of us,” Paul said.
“Despite his daily battles with cystic fibrosis, Cahir faced his struggles with remarkable strength and never let his condition define him. There’s a saying that the youngest looks up to the oldest in every house but I can say that was the opposite case in our house. He was a gift; he was one in a million.”
Paul is now an advocate for research into cystic fibrosis, which affects over 12,000 people in the UK and Ireland, while 1 in every 25 people carry the cystic fibrosis gene.
“By sharing Cahir’s story, we hope to raise awareness about CF and the need for more research and funding,” Paul said.
“We aim to ensure that the 10% of CF patients who currently have no access to lifesaving drugs can receive the treatment they need. No one should have to wonder if they will survive the next 24 hours due to a lack of accessible medication.”
He added: “On behalf of my family and myself, I want to thank everyone who so kindly donated to this worthy cause, especially the EvoQuip team, who united their efforts to support me in honouring Cahir’s memory.”
Mary McFarlane, community fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in Northern Ireland, said: “Before this role, I served as a Cystic Fibrosis Nurse Specialist for 37 years, during which time I had the privilege of knowing the O’Hagan family through Cahir’s journey with CF.
“Cahir was an extraordinary individual, and this contribution is deeply personal to me. The support provided will be dedicated to research, education, and financial assistance for those living with CF.”
