Boston "guardian angel" to fund little Alisha's life-saving cancer treatment

“What can we say. There are no words. She is a guardian angel for our little Alisha. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

That was the reaction of John and Michelle Savage after an American benefactor stepped in to fund life-saving cancer treatment for Alisha. The couple, from Glanmire in Co Cork, described Eileen Tye as their “guardian angel” after she and her foundation agreed to cover all the medical bills associated with Alisha’s treatment in a Boston medical centre.

John’s mother, Muiread, said: “We are over the moon. We were all praying for a miracle. We were all scratching our heads wondering where we were going to the get the money, and then this woman and her foundation came forward — she’s an angel.

“Alisha is our little angel. She’s such a fighter and thanks to the generosity of people all over Ireland, and Eileen Tye and her foundation, she now has the best possible chance of survival.”

Alisha was two years old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour known as Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour. The rare, aggressive cancer affects just one in every 1m children.

Alisha underwent surgery in Dublin to remove a quarter of the tumour from her brain stem, but the risks associated with trying to surgically remove the rest of the tumour were too high.

Her parents were given the option of pursuing an aggressive protocol of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Dublin, which might reduce the size of the tumour and extend her life, or of taking her home and making her comfortable. Following extensive research, they opted to travel to the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to increase Alisha’s chances of survival.

They spent months fundraising and relocated to Boston last month.

The family’s plight was highlighted by the Boston Herald and Bostonians opened their hearts and chequebooks, and donations poured in. Their story also touched Eileen Tye, who committed the resources of the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation to help the family meet medical costs for at least a year. Ms Tye’s late husband set up the foundation after making his fortune as the leading alcohol wholesaler in New England.

You can donate online to www.alifeforalisha.com.