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Miracle recovery for Irish toddler from deadly brain tumor

New York doctors amazed by little Megan’s brain scans

By
JAMES FARRELL,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 7:09 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 10:40 AM

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Megan receiving treatment at New York's Presbyterian Hospital
Megan receiving treatment at New York's Presbyterian Hospital
Photo by Irish Independent


Read more: Cork girl walks again after miracle New York treatment

An Irish toddler has had a miracle recovery from a very serious brain cancer after treatment in New York.

The parents of 3-year-old Megan Malone from Cork have been told by doctors at New York Presbyterian Hospital that her rare brain tumor has completely disappeared after specialist treatment.

Tumors on her spine also appear to have disappeared in a development described as ‘ extraordinary’ by her doctors at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

She had been given a diagnosis of less than a 20 per cent chance of survival in Ireland when the cancer was first diagnosed.

There was no treatment in Ireland for her condition.

Just  four months after Megan began her treatment , her parents John and Sheila were given the incredible result by  amazed doctors.

"We could not have asked for better news. The MRI scans were reviewed by the medical team and the results are amazing. Megan's brain now has no evidence of cancer," Megan's dad John Malone told the Irish Independent.

"Dr Garvin told us there is complete response in the brain and that the main tumour is gone.

"We are in shock and just can't believe it. Dr Garvin told us that this is a unique situation. Most brain tumours of this nature and magnitude are surgically removed first before chemo and many still require radiotherapy to completely remove them."

Megan, her parents and three other siblings had moved to new York four months ago and expected to have to stay years in America. Now they are hopeful that Megan can start pre-school in Ireland in September.

They have been told the results are almost unprecedented for the condition.

John Malone stated that  "Dr Ghatan and Dr Garvin examined Megan's spinal scans in great detail. They were both amazed. In a nutshell, they cannot be 100pc sure right now, but there are very strong indications that there is little or no tumours remaining.

"This result has completely blown our minds. It is more than we could have ever hoped for at this stage of the treatment. We are waking up in the night still in disbelief," Mr Malone added.

"We're still hoping that Megan will be cured without having to go through any radiotherapy.

The family had raised $250,000 in Ireland and an anonymous benefactor offered to cover the $500,000 needed for her treatment in New York.

Read more: Cork girl walks again after miracle New York treatment

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16 Comments

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mcdolan | Apr 15, 2011, 04:24 AM EDT
A good news story!

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maireadinmelb | Apr 13, 2011, 06:32 AM EDT
It is lovely to see a positive story. Good Luck Megan keep fighting!

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Searlit | Apr 12, 2011, 09:25 PM EDT
Thank-you for sharing this wonderful news! What a great person the anonymous benefactor is. Thank God for people like that!

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Joyce1959 | Apr 12, 2011, 01:05 PM EDT
God is Great and a wonderous God! Give him praise!

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ellenred | Apr 12, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT
How wonderful that Megan got her miracle. This is a great hospital center! Now she can keep smiling

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yorkville | Apr 12, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT
Whatever the mind can concieve and believe, the mind can ACHIEVE!! thank god.

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jamieLM | Apr 12, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT
Wonderful news! I pray little Liam Heffernan will also experience a good outcome from his treatment.

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bronxjames | Apr 12, 2011, 10:46 AM EDT
Finally some good news concerning children. A special thank you to the mystery donor of half a million dollars. Best wished to the family and the little one.

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MB4 | Apr 12, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT
Great news. Our best wishes for the family. {The PBTF is a good resource in the US The Foundation's headquarters are located in Asheville, N.C. Please write to us at: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation 302 Ridgefield Ct. Asheville, NC 28806 Reach us by phone at 828-665-6891 or 800-253-6530 (8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. ET). You can also email us, and our fax number is 828-665-6894.} Our son is a 12½ year survivor(now 15). They are a great organization.

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joan1954 | Apr 12, 2011, 10:26 AM EDT
There are still miracles.

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MB4 | Apr 12, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT
Have the parents, or anyone contact http://www.pbtfus.org/ The Foundation's headquarters are located in Asheville, N.C. Please write to us at: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation 302 Ridgefield Ct. Asheville, NC 28806 Reach us by phone at 828-665-6891 or 800-253-6530 (8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. ET). You can also email us, and our fax number is 828-665-6894. Our son is now 15½, he is coming up on his 12th anniversary of his successful operation. The PBTF has really grown here, about 26 or 27 years. The are a great organization. We participate in the Utica, NY motorcycle ride for kids fundraiser. I wish Megan and her family well.

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Suivness10 | Apr 12, 2011, 09:47 AM EDT
"Miracles happen to those who believe in them." - Ananymous

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bridiegirl | Apr 12, 2011, 09:29 AM EDT
Fantastic, always happy to hear something like this. All the best to the family, this little girl was meant to do great things.

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Dublinjas | Apr 12, 2011, 09:15 AM EDT
Really great news.

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BishopSean | Apr 12, 2011, 08:32 AM EDT
Medical experts call such events "spontaneous remissions," or "extraordinary" or "unique." I prefer to think it is because Jesus is still in the business of hearing prayers and healing people. "Jesus" in Hebrew means "God Saves" and "God Heals."

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