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0 A young girl who captured hearts when she appeared on Irish TV show The Late Late Toy Show has tragically died following her battle with cancer.
Saoírse Ruane, from Kiltullagh, Galway in Ireland, was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour in 2019, which is a form of bone cancer.
Her family revealed in a statement that she passed away at home on Tuesday, and tributes to the ‘selfless, humble and kind’ young campaigner have poured in.
Announcing her death on Instagram, they wrote: ‘It is with broken hearts the Ruane family announces the passing of their beautiful daughter and sister, Saoírse, who passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday, 5th March 2024.
‘Saoírse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoírse in their hearts.
Saoírse Ruane captured hearts when she appeared on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020 (pictured with then-host Ryan Tubridy)
The young girl, from Kiltullagh, Galway in Ireland, was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour in 2019, which is a form of bone cancer (pictured in 2021)
‘In Saoírse’s short life, she inspired and influenced so many. If you would like to make a donation in Saoírse’s memory, please donate to the Galway Hospice using the following link in memory of Saoírse.’
As part of Saoírse’s treatment she had her leg amputated and she underwent chemotherapy.
In 2020 she appeared on the Late Late Toy Show with then host Ryan Tubridy, winning hearts across the country and inspiring a huge toy appeal in her name.
Then just eight years old, Saoírse bravely spoke about her battle with cancer and showed the live audience her new prosthetic leg with a unicorn on it.
She said she’d had three dreams: to appear on the Late Late Show, to be walking again by Christmas and to go on a family holiday.
The young campaigner was cheered on by the TV audience as she showed she could walk again – and the show then showed the heartwarming moment host Ryan surprised her and her family with a trip to Disneyworld.
Her mother Roseanna later described her appearance on the show as the ‘biggest reward she could ever receive for enduring such a cruel illness’.
It also led to the founding of the Toy Show Appeal, which supports children’s charities across Ireland and raised 3 million euros last year.
In November 2023, her mother Roseanna revealed the cancer had spread to Saoirse’s other lung
Saoírse leaves behind her parents Ollie and Roseanna (pictured together), sister Farrah Rose, half-sister Rebecca, and grandparents Anne Ruane, Tony and Ann Brehony
Saoírse showed the live studio audience on the Late Late Toy Show how she had managed to walk again with her prosthetic leg (pictured)
Saoírse leaves behind her parents Ollie and Roseanna, sister Farrah Rose, half-sister Rebecca, and grandparents Anne Ruane, Tony and Ann Brehony.
Her illness first began in 2019 with a tumour in her leg. In June 2022, she was told that she needed an operation to remove a tumour from her lung.
In November 2023, her mother revealed the cancer had spread to her other lung on their joint Instagram account @saoirseandmamma.
Host Ryan paid tribute to Saoírse on Instagram, writing: ‘It is with the greatest sadness imaginable that I’ve heard the news of my dear young friend, Saoírse Ruane’s passing.
‘We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.’
Host Ryan paid tribute to Saoírse on Instagram, where he described her as his ‘dear young friend’
Saoirse Ruane with her mother Roseanna when she launched the Variety Children’s Charity ‘Recycle Mobility Campaign’ in 2021
He continued: ‘A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child. She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.
‘The world is a poorer place without Saoírse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.’
President Higgins of Ireland also took to social media to express his condolences, writing that her ‘strength and warmth was an inspiration to all’.
