A mother whose daughter passed away from a brain tumour at just 21-months-old has appealed for people to donate to the LauraLynn Hospice.
Eva White, born in 2016, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 18 months after initially presenting with a limp.
She was given a week to live by doctors.
The LauraLynn Children's Hospice played a huge role in helping the Whites after Eva's diagnosis, and the family are fronting the service's Christmas appeal which was launched last week.
Eva's mother Lisa has written a Christmas letter to raise awareness of the Hospice's need for funding and to keep the memory of Eva's life burning bright.
Lisa told Lunchtime Live: "It's every parent's worst nightmare, there was never any hope with Eva they just gave us the zero percent chance of survival, it was just absolutely horrific."
Eva was described by her mother as "the most beautiful soul" and "a pure, pure joy to be around".
Lisa said: "Her smile would light up the darkest of rooms.
"She was extremely smart and really hit every big milestone early.
"She and her brother James just adored each other and followed each other everywhere.
"She was absolutely perfect, she was the strongest person I ever met or will ever meet, she was really, really inspirational.
It was when the family were in Temple Street following Eva's terminal diagnosis that they were introduced to the LauraLynn hospice.
Lisa said: "We were lying on the floor on a mattress beside Eva, she was in intensive care, she was really terrified, really pale.
"LauraLynn came in to us and just explained what LauraLynn was like, what the hospice was like.
"We were able to go to LauraLynn and have that lovely space, in the family room we had a double bed so we could lie beside Eva.
"She relaxed immediately the moment she got there, and I know it gave her longer, if she had continued on in ICU with machines beeping around her she would have probably gone sooner."
During Eva's final weeks, she was cared for at home, with the help of LauraLynn.
She sang songs. Blew bubbles and kisses. And each night she got to sleep in her own bed with her unicorn Pinky.
When time with your child is short, every moment counts✨https://t.co/lDaZE31cOi pic.twitter.com/Bh9GPlWSKR— LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice (@LauraLynnHouse) November 27, 2020
Eva was in "a lot of pain" but LauraLynn helped manage her symptoms and helped the entire family while they lived there for two weeks.
Lisa said: "Because Eva is Eva, she made it home and it was a really warm summer in 2018.
"We had family walks, we did everything we wanted to do, and the LauraLynn at home team was an amazing support to us.
"They came every day, gave us respite, looked after us, helped with medication, everything you can think of, they helped us with."
Eva "perked up" even more when she came home, as she was able to spend time with her brother and her toys and sleep in her own cot.
Christmas appeal
Lisa said that it costs €5m a year to run LauraLynn, much of which comes from fundraising.
She wrote her Christmas letter not only to keep the memory of Eva burning bright, but also to encourage people to donate to the service.
She said: "LauraLynn is so close to my heart, I'm on a first-name basis with a lot of the people.
"I'm just passionate about what LauraLynn represents, and why it was set up.
"There's only one LauraLynn and I wish there were more in the country, but what they do is so needed.
"For me, writing the letter...is really to get people to donate and to support LauraLynn and to keep this vital service going."
Lisa added: "We had a precious gift and we had to give her back and LauraLynn supported us and I just want that support to be there for other people."
Two years since Eva passed away, Lisa said that supporting LauraLynn has been a big help as she can visit the service and Eva's memory is honoured.
Anyone who would like to donate to LauraLynn can do so via their website.
Lunchtime Live
