Megan makes great progress as brain tumour shrinks by 95%

BRAVE little Megan Malone has given her parents an early Christmas gift in New York by making remarkable progress from a rare brain tumour.

Since arriving at the hospital, Megan has made fantastic progress, with the main tumour on her brain having decreased in size by 95%.

Megan, from Cill na Martra, near Macroom, Co Cork, is being treated in the US for a tumour which is so rare, it could not be treated in Ireland.

Last week, an anonymous donation of €300,000 was made to the family to help cover the cost of the expensive treatment at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital.

The little girl has also started crawling again and taking steps with assistance.

Megan has grade four cancer, a form of the disease so rare that only two children in Ireland are diagnosed with it each year.

However, if her progress continues in such a positive manner, her parents are hopeful she could be discharged from hospital in time for Christmas to spend it with her family in their temporary home in Yonkers.

Megan’s dad John said the reduction in the size of her main tumour was “remarkable”.

“Megan still has smaller tumours on her brain and spine but they are really hopeful because she is responding so well to chemotherapy,” he said.

It is hoped that Megan will be allowed to be treated at home for a short period but she still faces about six months of chemotherapy, given in monthly cycles with a two week break in between.

Given the level of treatment required for Megan, the Malones are expected to spend up to two years in the US.

Megan’s brother and sister, Dylan and Chloe, have been enrolled in schools in New York.