Megan, 3, goes to New York for treatment of rare cancer

A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl from Co Cork who was diagnosed with a rare tumour in October — just a week after her parents celebrated the birth of a new child — travelled to New York yesterday for vital cancer treatment.

Megan Malone from Ballyvourney, Co Cork, took ill in early October just days after little Tristan Malone was born to Sheila and John Malone.

Megan had been vomiting and losing her balance. A brain scan revealed a grade four supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal (SPNET) tumour.

Yesterday, the parents flew out of Dublin Airport to New York accompanied by Megan, baby Tristan and the couple’s two other children Chloe, 7, and Dylan, 5.

They expect to be in the US for up to nine months. Megan is due to be treated by experts at the New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital.

Initially, she received chemotherapy but the treatment was stopped in recent weeks to allow her to build up strength for the trip to New York.

Megan’s aunt, Brid Malone said: “We are just thrilled. She will be taken straight to the hospital for blood tests and an MRI and they will start treatment as soon as possible.”

The Malones need to raise in the region of €220,000 to fund treatment and accommodation costs.They have already raised in excess of €80,000.

Brid Malone expressed thanks for the enormous generosity shown by the public since a website was set up just a few weeks ago.

* A fundraising account was opened in Ulster Bank, Ballincollig, Co Cork. Details are: Megan Malone Trust with Sort code: 985482. a/c: 10117900. Donations can also be made at www.meganmalonetrust.org