Brave Merryn continues her illness battle

A NORTHSIDE father has vowed to give his young daughter every chance of surviving a life-threatening illness.

Last August, Merryn Lacy (5), from Donabate, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer of the nervous system.

Three weeks ago, Merryn had a tumour removed from her right kidney in a three-hour operation at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. It followed 12 bouts of chemotherapy she underwent over the last eight difficult months.

Her Dad Michael told Northside People that his brave little princess is recovering well but conceded there was a long road ahead.

Remarkably, Merryn was up and about just 48 hours after her operation, and is taking part in dancing classes at Backstreet Studios in Swords.

“She is just so resilient and has been so good,

? said Michael.

“The day after the operation she was sitting up, and the following day she was walking about. She couldn’t wait to get home to see her friends.

“A lot of people are surprised when they see her out playing. She’s so full of life. She’s fully aware of her medicine, and even though she’s only turned five, she knows all about nutrition and how to build herself up.

“She might have to get more chemo in two weeks’ time but she has tolerated it very well so far.

?

Michael describes Merryn as very social and said the worst thing about her stays in hospital is that she can’t get to go out to play with her friends.

“She loves One Direction and has started dance classes,

? he said.

“She also loves arts and crafts, painting and colouring, and is very creative. Our aims is to keep life as normal as possible for her while she continues her battle against her illness.

?

After Michael and Jenny (Merryn’s mum), received the devastating news last year, they were reluctant to share their story publicly given its sensitive nature.

However, Michael soon realised that in order to give Merryn the best possible chance of survival they would have to set up an appeal to raise funds for future treatment, thus the Merryn Lacy Trust was born.

“We discovered that families in the UK who have children with Neuroblastoma were all fundraising and we just had to do the same,

? he stated.

“There was simply no other option.

?

Michael said that he and his family have been

“overwhelmed

? by the huge amount of support since they went public with Merryn’s story.

“Since that first Coffee Morning in Balbriggan and another one in Jenny’s native Derry it has been absolutely amazing,

? he said.

“For instance, in the Women’s Mini Marathon (it takes place on June Bank Holiday Monday), we thought if 50 women did it for Merryn that would be brilliant. We got 100 and that was fantastic. And now we have 270 women taking part which is just incredible.

?

“You stop and think: what is happening. Fundraisers are being held all over the place. People have been so good, especially in Donabate and Balbriggan, Bray where I’m originally from and Derry.

?

Michael said the Trust was set up because they didn’t want to be in the position where they were scrambling to get money for future treatment if the opportunity arose.

“Our aim is to give Merryn the best possible chance of beating this beast,

? he said.

“We hope that eventually we will get her to the NED stage (No Evidence of Disease).

“There is a high rate of relapse so we want to be proactive and attack this on the front foot. We will be looking at

‘blocker’ treatment at that stage, and the only way of getting that is to go abroad to the US.

“The cost of that would be estimated at e150,000-e200,-000 and with options for relapse in Ireland being limited, if that were ever needed you’re looking at around e500,000.

“It scares the life out of us, even thinking about costs like this let alone talking about it. But we’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Merryn has the best opportunity of beating this.

“

Merryn’s bravery in battling her illness has touched the hearts of celebrities and sport stars alike and she has already met Katie Taylor, Roy Keane, Paul O’Connell and Rob Kearney. She has even had a horse named after her which is expected to be running races shortly.

Michael said:

“Racehorse trainer Ger Lyons named a two-year-old filly

‘Merryn Moo’ after Merryn. He recently invited us down to his Glenburnie Stables (Dunsany, County Meath) and we had a really special day. We can’t thank him and his family enough. Hopefully the horse will be running in a few weeks.

?

Michael and Merryn are big fans of American Football, and in particular, Chicago Bears. When one of their star players,

‘Peanut’, heard about Merryn, he sent her over a signed jersey.

“That was fantastic,

? said Michael.

“Peanut is Merryn’s favourite player.

?

Upcoming events include a Wax and Shave Night at the Harvest Bar, Balbriggan, on Saturday, April 26, and a

‘Strictly Merryn’ night at the Wright Venue, Swords, in June.

Michael, Jenny and Merryn’s sister, Cora, would like to thank all those who are fundraising for Merryn, and especially the wonderful team at St John’s Ward in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

*For more information on Merryn’s brave battle and to make a donation to her fund, visit www.facebook.com/merrynlacy