Fundraiser set up to help Kildare woman ‘get her life back’

An online fundraiser has been set up to help a County Kildare woman "get her life back".

It concerns Alice Breen, a 22-year-old decorated sports star hailing from Kildare town, and was set up  by her mother, Eileen.

Explaining her daughter's health status, Eileen said on GoFundMe that Alice is reliant on crutches to get around pain free.

"She suffered a horrendous compound fracture to her fibula in August 2020 and following two surgeries, was back playing sport in April 2021," Eileen said. "She regained full use of her ankle at first but after about a year the swelling and pain began to worsen instead of easing more."

Eileen continued: "She put this down to the plate that was in her ankle, as she had been told that this would have to remain in situ if she wanted to play sport, but could cause her some discomfort.

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"She continued icing and exercising, but by mid-2024, she couldn't walk without a limp and would be in pain for days following any exertion.

"In early 2025 we went to A&E as she couldn't bear weight at all. She was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon and was diagnosed with end stage osteoarthritis of the ankle and end stage necrosis of the talus bone.

"This means treatment options are very limited and what is on offer is not recommended for anyone as young as Alice."

Eileen further said that the only solid treatment suggestion so far has been an ankle fusion. However, this in itself will cause arthritis and further complications in other lower limb joints in the future, and will "limit her very much in activities for the rest of her life".

"Even just the basic task of walking will be difficult; this is a life changing diagnosis and prognosis for someone so young, who lives for sport," Eileen added.

Alice Breen playing sport. Photograph credit: Eileen Furlong / GoFundMe

Speaking about a possible alleviation for Alice's health woes, Eileen said that her family has been in touch with a clinic in Washington, where a man called Ryan Blanck invented a prosthetic-orthotic device called an Exosym.

She explained: "It is basically a leg brace that has hinges at a higher supporting joint on the leg, that absorb the pressure at say in Alices case the knee instead of pressure and weight being put on the ankle; this does away with any further damage or pain."

Fortunately, according to Eileen, Alice is a suitable candidate for this device.

And now, the family is raising funds to acquire the device for Alice. 

Eileen concluded by saying: "Any small amount of help from anyone will be very gratefully received; I will keep everyone updated on her journey when this finally begins."

The GoFundMe page for Alice has a €26,000 goal, with just over €1,390 raised so far at the time of publication.

It can be viewed online here.