Carolyn Murphy only has nine months to live, but this longtime friend of Maureen O’Hara’s has taken steps to be as active as possible.
Back in 2007, Murphy was given a double mastectomy to treat breast cancer and has been undergoing treatment for the past 11 years, but realizes that she needs to keep herself occupied amid this terminal illness.
As for her connection to O’Hara, Murphy had become her caretaker in the years leading up to her death when she had to stay in Ireland after having a stroke, which prevented her from going on transatlantic flights.
Following the actress’s death, Murphy had said, “We were girlfriends. We shared our sorrows and our joys. We sang, we laughed and we cried. We both had great humor and great fun together.”
“I loved Maureen. I love her still. I will be her forever friend,” Murphy went on to say about O’Hara.
Recently, having been ill herself, Murphy has devoted much of her time to knitting cotton caps for cancer patients who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy but has also found the time to write a book about her time with her famous movie star friend.
She teamed up with a local knitting shop in Cork, Bantry Yarns, which is helping to distribute the caps freely to those in need but has also put them up for sale for anyone else who would like to help out this great cause.
Do pop along to Bantry Yarns in New Street today from 10am - 5pm.
We'll be knitting and crocheting #CapsforCancer in soft cottons for patients undergoing treatment.
We've yarn and patterns, we just need knitters, crocheters and help making lovely embellishments.#makeitaplan pic.twitter.com/F9LVqJuSgh
— Jacqueline Stedman (@Jaq_Stedman) June 9, 2018
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These knitted caps have been donated to various cancer treatment facilities such as the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork and the ARC House in Bantry, West Cork. So far, she has enlisted a big team of fellow knitters and has encouraged those who are unable to knit to donate funds for the supply cost.
As per Murphy, there will be several styles and sizes for men, women, and children as well who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.
Murphy plans to keep fighting her cancer and has expressed she would like to be around for her Husband Bill’s 80th birthday next April. It’s safe to say that Murphy would certainly make O’Hara proud for her determination and fighting spirit in the midst of adversity.
What are your thoughts on the charity? Do you have something similar where you live?
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