Who is Emma Fogarty? Colin Farrell finishes 2024 Dublin Marathon with wheelchair-bound friend suffering from EB in 4 hours
Well-known actor Colin Farrell recently participated in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in support of Emma Fogarty. A resident of Co Laois, Emma Fogarty has been battling epidermolysis bullosa, also called EB, since her childhood. The condition leads to fragile and blistering skin as a result of heat, rubbing, or scratching.
The marathon, which was held on October 28, 2024, saw the participation of around 22,000 people. Farrell and Fogarty collected donations worth $850,000 and towards the end of the race,
The duo even hugged each other and Farrell completed the entire marathon in four hours, as revealed by People magazine.
Emma has addressed her condition on the official website of the Irish Skin Foundation by saying:
"My doctor has described EB as the most painful, debilitating condition she has ever seen. That is an understatement! If I tried to tell you about the pain I go through on a daily basis, words could never describe the severity. My threshold of pain is much higher because I have known nothing other than being in pain."
During Emma Fogarty's appearance on The Late Late Show around a week ago on October 18, viewers also made donations of around $500,000.
The episode even featured Colin Farrell along with her and Fogarty stated that she has shared a close relationship with the Miss Julie star, adding that they "enjoy each other's company."
According to Today, Farrell and Fogarty met 16 years ago when the former attended a dinner with the biggest donor for Emma. While appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers on September 19, Farrell confirmed his participation in the marathon by saying that he was "running with a friend." He further stated:
"She has a condition called epidermolysis bullosa. It's a skin condition she's born with. Literally 80% of her body is an open wound. She's a legend. She shouldn't have lived."
Emma Fogarty did not have a normal childhood due to her skin condition
The official website of the Irish Skin Foundation states that Fogarty's family members include her parents and younger sister. She first went to Limerick to participate in a course for three years and then went to Dublin, where she worked for three years.
In an interview with Today this month, Emma Fogarty recalled her childhood, saying that her parents had no idea about her condition since they had to ensure that she was not harmed in any manner while taking care of her. She further stated:
"I could be running around and within seconds of blister would pop up, and that blister would just grow and grow and get bigger and bigger. The minute a blister popped up, I had to stop playing."
The problems continued when Emma Fogerty had to bear the pain of wounds and blisters and used bandages for the same.
While she grew up, she started addressing her experience with EB to everyone else, stating that the treatment for the skin condition has changed with time.
Emma also opened up on how the skin condition left an impact on her life, saying that she had to change her way of living. She also spoke up on the complications that come with her electric wheelchair, stating that she might get another blister or damage her skin if she hits anything.
As mentioned, Colin Farrell and Emma Fogarty were able to collect a lot of funds after the former participated in a marathon. Farrell expressed his happiness in a statement shared with the Irish Times, which reads:
"That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn't show it. It was an honour to see her waiting for me with 4 km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I'll never forget it."
Colin Farrell also mentioned that Emma Fogarty is one of the best examples of bravery, courage, and determination.