Rosemount woman overcomes cancer to release charity single

Rosemount resident Síle Morgan has released a charity single, despite being told four years ago she might not speak again following a cancer diagnosis.

Síle set up a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising a target of €3,000 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

In January 2019, Síle was diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer called Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the minor salivary glands.

At the time Síle was diagnosed with cancer she was told by a surgeon that she would be lucky to speak again let alone sing but she has beaten the odds and released her own charity single.

Síle said: “It was a huge surprise even to the doctors, it's so rare."

Her only symptom of the cancer was swelling on one side of her mouth. Síle later had to go through a 14-hour surgery to remove the entire roof of her mouth.

Following the operation, the former Convent of Mercy, Moate student was in hospital for six weeks and then went through five weeks of radiotherapy.

Síle, who previously worked as an art and music teacher in the former Carmelite College, said that her speech will always be a bit problematic but that she is extremely lucky.

At one stage Síle wasn't able to speak and she had to get a tracheostomy procedure which is when an opening is surgically created through the neck into the windpipe to allow air to fill the lungs.

The Rosemount resident's charity single 'Two Eyes Of Blue' is a song dedicated to all cancer patients who are facing up to all the challenges that thair illness brings.

Síle's daughter Doireann is the face for the track. She has dedicated the song to patients' friends and families support them through those tough times along with those who haven't been able to overcome cancer.

The inspiring woman said that some great things can happen in the aftermath of cancer and that her cancer spurred her on to release the song and raise money for charity.

Speaking about how she hopes the song will help others, Síle said: “To each and every person who has been touched by cancer I hope that this song might bring some measure of hope, some measure of strength in order to believe that tomorrow might bring a little more ease, a little more healing.

"I hope that my story might highlight that though we may be changed utterly from that which we were before this cruel disease took hold, we can still show the world that there is so much left to give.

“I still have so much more to say. It's a love story to my loved ones and thank you to everyone that I encountered for all the support and kindness on my journey." The Ballycumber native has been a singer since she was a child and she wrote the muisc and lyrics for 'Two Eyes Of Blue' and also plays piano on the track. She got in contact with a music producer in 2021 and recorded the song then as she thought that in time her voice may disintegrate.

Síle stated: “Two Eyes Of Blue is a love song for all those I adore. It’s ultimately written for, and about my gorgeous children, Doireann and Morgan, and how privileged I have been to know such precious human beings.” Síle added that the Irish Cancer Socety was "so supportive. It was huge eye opener and showed me how amazing people are."

The fundraiser has managed to raise €2,565 to date. Go to 'Two Eyes Of Blue - For the Irish Cancer Society' on GoFundMe. To download the charity single visit www.twoeyesofblue.com.