A fundraising concert in Galway this month will bring together local musicians and community support in aid of Pia Cloherty, who is preparing to undergo a life-saving double lung transplant in the UK.
The event, Voices for Pia, is set to take place on April 16 at Monroe’s Live, with organisers aiming to raise funds to cover the significant costs associated with post-transplant recovery abroad. Tickets are priced at €25, with proceeds going towards accommodation, travel, and ongoing care during what is expected to be a six-month stay near a specialist hospital.
The fundraiser has been organised by a group of Pia’s close friends as part of a wider campaign titled “A Second Chance for Pia”. The initiative has developed informally, relying on local networks and community backing rather than institutional support.
A number of well-known Irish acts have confirmed their participation, including Mary Coughlan and Ultan Conlon, alongside other performers and a raffle supported by Galway businesses.
Aged 39, Pia has lived with cystic fibrosis, a progressive condition that primarily affects the lungs, for her entire life. Her health has declined significantly in recent years, and she has been dependent on oxygen since 2020. Having exhausted available treatment options in Ireland, she has now been approved for a transplant in the UK.
While the surgery itself is critical, the financial burden lies largely in the recovery period, which requires patients to remain close to their transplant centre under strict medical supervision.
Organisers say the event is intended not only to raise funds but also to highlight the practical challenges faced by patients and families navigating treatment abroad.
Donations are also being accepted online through a GoFundMe campaign linked to the fundraiser.
