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Miracle girl Megan is cancer free after U.S. treatment

Four-year-old Irish tot beats incredible odds


Megan Malone
Megan Malone
Photo by Megan Malone Trust

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Cork tot Megan Malone will return home at the start of September after life saving treatment in America – months after Irish doctors told her parents she had weeks to live.

Four-year-old Megan is now cancer free after revolutionary care in New York and Boston saved her life.

Megan, from the village of Kilnamartyra near Macroom, was diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumor last October.

Irish doctors said she had just weeks to live but her parents John and Sheila refused to believe them.

Now, after spending over a million dollars on treatment in the States, they are preparing to bring their little girl home to Ireland in September.

Her American care, first at the specialist Head Start treatment programme at New York’s Presbyterian Children’s Hospital and then in Boston, has cleared her of cancer.

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Tests in Boston last month confirmed Megan as ‘visually cancer-free; but doctors there have continued a course of radiotherapy as a precautionary measure.

While there is no evidence of cancer, doctors say the continuing radiotherapy will kill any microscopic cancer cells which might still exist.

Dad John revealed: “We have booked our flight home for September 3rd and we’re all very excited about that. It’s been a long and difficult road for every member of our family, but especially for Megan.

“We are so proud of her and hope that she will not remember most of it.

“Our wish is that Megan will remain cancer-free and enjoy every minute of a long and happy life. I haven’t seen our other children so excited in such a long time.”

Megan begins a third week of a six-week course of proton-beam radiotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Monday.

The total cost of Megan’s treatment in the US will come to over a million dollars and most of this has been paid for by an anonymous donor.

Ireland’s Health Service is to cover the $340,000 cost of Megan’s radiotherapy treatment in Boston.
 


Nster.com


8 Comments

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I am very happy that an anonymous donor stepped up to save this precious little Irish child's life to the tune of a $1 million or so. May God eternally bless the both of them. Yet, I am also angered that some months ago we had to raise money thru Beef 'n Beers to foot the bill for my American neighbor, who lost his private (no pre-existing conditions, Irish or Otherwise Need Apply) private health "insurance" ! Over 50 million Americans lack health insurance, with over 26% of those 18 to 64 without it. Yet, the entitelement right wing nuts decry any universal healthcare resonable solution as "socialism" and an "assault on liberty" as they celebrate their "I've got mine; go get yours" demented individualism. Theyy constantly tout how we have the best medical care in the world (we don't; look up the statistics for infant mortality rates, etc). Our freedom gets us the only nation in the industrialized world without a rational universal system. Sorry, that's not entirely true, if you consider Iran and Saudi Arabia, etc. Yet, these same hypocrites will be early to Mass and communion each and every Sunday, with their flag lapels firmly in jacket. What would Jesus do where the rest of us don't have any anonymous donors in the bull pen ?
Thankyou Jesus...please watch over her.
I am really happy for this brave and sweet-looking little girl that she was able to get treatment here and what looks like a cure. But my question is: Why did the doctors in Ireland give her such a grim diagnosis and why do they not have the sophisticated means to treat her and others in their hospitals? Are they that lacking? What a scary thought for my relatives living there. A few years ago my cousin was misdiagnosed at the main hospital in Cork. Luckily, he was able to go to London, get diagnosed properly and get treatment. But what about so many others who either do not have the means to do so or take their doctor's diagnosis at face value?
What a wonderful story, thank you America!
There still needs to be prayers for this little girl. She is not cured but in remission. And as withj any remission, the cancer can return. Rule of thumb, you have to be cancer free for 5 years to be considered cured.
This is great news! I pray that that Megan will be cancer-free 5 yrs. from now and will forever be cancer-free. Best wishes to Megan and her family.
What a courageous and brave spirited little girl! She's an inspiration! I'm happy for this family, and for the anonymous donor who gave Megan Malone a chance.
Fabulous news for the family. I hope their future is just a bright as the girls beaming smile.
 




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