Clare Fm - Podcasts

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Derrick had the privilege of speaking about an incredibly brave and inspiring young girl — Layla Kelly. At just 12 years old, Layla, from Kilfenora and a student of Kilnaboy National School in Co. Clare, has faced more challenges than most of us will in a lifetime. Since 2023, she has been courageously battling Adrenocortical Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. What began as simple back pain when she was just nine years old quickly escalated into a devastating diagnosis. Layla has since undergone two major surgeries, removing her adrenal gland, a kidney, and part of her liver, as well as enduring months of intense chemotherapy. Despite spending nearly seven months in hospital and facing setback after setback — including a failed immunotherapy attempt, Layla continues to show remarkable strength, grace, and resilience. Now, her journey brings her to a critical stage: Layla requires a highly complex and life-saving surgery that can only be performed by a specialis