Cancer sufferer Karl Harold hoping to continue his passion for photography

A GoFundMe account has been set up for a man who is suffering from cancer to enable him to continue his passion for photography.

Karl Harold lives in Creeslough and due to his illness cannot work, having previously ran the Errigal Hostel in Dunlewey. Not long after his diagnosis, back in 2011, he took up photography and created a calendar of his own photographs and raised from sales of the calendar close to €1,700. The money raised was fully donated to Letterkenny Hospital as a thank you for getting Karl through the early stages of bladder cancer.

However, with Karl unable to work, he had to sell his camera and equipment to get through Christmas but misses and pastime and hopes to get back behind the lens, for his own frame of mind and to continue charity work. 

“I was an avid photographer and spent my free time capturing the wonderful beauty of Donegal,” he told DonegalLive. “However, amidst the joys of managing the hostel and pursuing my passion for photography, life took an unexpected turn. I received the devastating news of being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

“The following years were marked by grueling chemotherapy treatments, multiple major operations, and enduring complications. These medical battles became an intrinsic part of my life, making it impossible to hold down a full-time job due to ongoing health issues resulting from the extensive treatments.

“Due to further complications of my illness, I had to quit running the hostel, which I loved. With no job and little money coming in I was forced to sell my camera in order to afford Christmasmas presents for my two kids. 

“Yet, through the darkest moments, there were glimmers of hope. In the midst of fighting cancer, I found solace in creativity. I channeled my energy into creating a calendar featuring the captivating scenes of Donegal's landscape. Every penny earned from its sales was donated to Letterkenny Hospital as a heartfelt gesture of gratitude for their unwavering care throughout my cancer journey.

If you would like to help Karl on his journey, you can donate to his GoFundME here and check his facebook page to see his work

“Fast forward to now, I would love to get back into photography and again raise money for good causes including supporting my two children. I have started a GoFundMe campaign to help me buy a professional camera setup and have got off to a reasonable start mainly through Facebook.

“As my cancer journey progressed, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. One of my images graced the cover of Donegal Airport magazine, further amplifying the recognition of my photography. Encouraged by this achievement, Donegal Airport approached me to exhibit 22 of my finest images at the airport, aiming to showcase the captivating beauty of County Donegal to travelers from around the world.

“Despite the trials I faced, my passion for photography and the desire to make a positive impact persevered. However, the absence of a professional camera now poses a challenge. Therefore, I seek to obtain a new camera through a GoFundMe campaign. With this invaluable tool, I aspire to continue capturing the beauty that surrounds me, while also raising funds for charity and providing for my family.

“Life's challenges may have altered my path, but they have not extinguished my spirit. I am determined to find new ways to express my love for photography, make a difference, and embrace the resilience that has carried me through the most trying of  times.”