ON October 22, 2013, a Northside couple’s world was crushed when their beautiful daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Gerry and Emma McNally, originally from Lusk and Raheny respectively, received news that Molly (5) has Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer of the nervous system.
The past nine months have been a major struggle for the family, now living in Balbriggan, as they cope with brave Molly’s illness and the challenge of fundraising for her continuing treatment.
Molly’s Mum, Emma, told Northside People that her cancer has become resistant to treatment.
“Everything seemed to be going to plan, and after 13 rounds of chemotherapy the amount of tumours on her bones was reduced from 82 to six,
? said Emma.
“She had surgery to remove her primary tumour and her bone marrow cleared but it’s the six remaining tumours that are causing the problems.
“They are the longest ones there and just won’t go away from her little bones.
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Molly has a full week of assessments to go through, and will receive a CT scan, a bone marrow test and a MIBG (nuclear) scan as part of her treatment.
“Despite everything she has had to go through so far, she has not complained once,
? said Emma.
“We should receive the results of these tests early next week and then we’ll sit down with Molly’s oncologist and go through what her treatment plan will involve.
“It will most likely be more chemotherapy and then hopefully those six stubborn tumours will be gone and we can start planning for the bone marrow transplant that she requires. So until we have those results, everything is up in the air.
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Emma said the family’s main aim is to get Molly to remission stage.
“The plan then is for her to be enrolled in drug trials in the US or another European country with a view to getting the necessary treatment to prevent a reoccurrence of her cancer,
? she explained.
“We have a long road ahead, both financially and medically.
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Shortly after Gerry and Emma received the devastating news, the Molly McNally Miracle Trust was founded to raise funds for her treatment.
The community response since has been overwhelming. The first event, a Bake Sale at Manor House Secondary School, Raheny, sparked a wide range of fundraisers that are continuing to take place across the Northside and further afield, almost on a weekly basis. Some of the events that have taken place so far include:
?¢ A Malahide Golf Classic, which involved 32 teams of 132 people, raised over 13K.
?¢ Molly’s uncle, Tony O’Malley, cycled non-stop from O’Connell Street to Eyre Square in Galway and managed to raise 10K.
?¢ Sean Keenan did the Alcatraz Swim and raised funds.
?¢ 120 women (and two male Dubs’ fans) took part in the recent Women’s Mini Marathon to raise funds.
?¢ A head shave was held at Molly’s school in Balscadden, north county Dublin. Her teacher Ms Darragh McGonigle, the headmaster Chris White and a few of the Dads shaved their heads and raised over 20K.
Upcoming events include:
?¢ July 22 – Supervalu Food & Wine Fare at the Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan
?¢ July 22 – Eavan Nic Gabhann, from Skerries, is doing the full Camino De Santiago Walk (over 800km)
?¢ July 24 – Night of entertainment in Molloy’s Pub, Dublin city centre
?¢ July 26 – Swag day pop-up boutique selling clothes on Grace Park Road, Drumcondra
?¢ July 27 – Tattoo Day at Edenmore Ink
?¢ August 23 – A Race Night at the Gibson Hotel
Meanwhile, Molly’s cousin Katie O’Connor (16), from Clarehall, has written and recorded a song, entitled
‘Just Too Young’, to raise more funds for the Trust.
“It’s a beautiful song,
? said Emma.
“Katie was 15 when she wrote it back in November. I had just told her about Molly’s diagnosis and she was devastated. She loves Molly so much and was really heartbroken.
“She said the words and music just came to her.
“We are releasing this single in September. We have 2,500 CDs being produced, free of charge by a very generous manufacturer.
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Emma said members of the local community have been a great support over the past nine difficult months.
“People have been absolutely fantastic,
? she said.
“People we haven’t even met are doing all sorts of fundraisers. The whole community is pulling together for Molly and our family can’t thank them enough.
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Molly’s story has touched the hearts of members of the Dublin football team and she is now a mascot for the All-Ireland champions.
Members of the team recently paid a visit to Molly’s grandparents’ home in Raheny, bringing the Sam Maguire Cup in tow.
Emma said that Molly’s illness is the first thing she thinks about in the morning and the last thing that goes through your head at night.
“She is such a wonderful child and full of energy and life,
? she added.
“She never stops smiling and her personality has captured the hearts of many people far and wide and it’s for that reason that we keep going, day in and day out.
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?¢The McNally family would like to thank Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for their continuing care for Molly.
?¢For more information on Molly’s fundraising campaign, and to find out how you can donate, please visit www.facebook.com/mollymcnallymiracletrust