Cancer treatment
for Vivienne Lynch McDaid
06.08.21
A Buncrana woman is in a
race against time to get life-saving cancer treatment in
the United States.
Vivienne Lynch McDaid is scheduled to begin chemotherapy
in Boston next week, however medics cannot start the
treatment until the hospital receives a full deposit of
$150,000. |
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Vivienne, a mother-of-two,
wasn't feeling well earlier this summer. After several
tests, the Umricam woman received the devastating cancer
diagnosis.
The doctor told her there was not much he could do to
help her.
This is when Vivienne’s family and friends stepped into
action.
They knew Boston has the best hospitals but wondered how
they could get Vivienne there during a global pandemic
with borders effectively closed.
A friend, a cancer survivor himself, had access to elite
doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Dana
Farber Cancer Institute. He helped secure a consultation
appointment for Vivienne. Another friend, with close
ties to Washington DC, was able to expedite a medical
visa and this allowed for plane tickets to be booked.
Vivienne arrived in Boston on July 27th and two days
later was seen by Dr Bruce Giantonio, a medical oncology
specialist at MGH with 34 years' experience in the
medical field.
Dr Giantonio examined Vivienne and said the words that
every person diagnosed with cancer wants to hear…there
is hope. He developed a treatment plan and Vivienne now
faces eight cycles of chemotherapy which, her family
says, Dr Giantonio is confident about and eager to
begin.
However, Vivienne’s medical coverage in Ireland does not
cover any of these expenses. The estimate received from
MGH is for $148,666.30.
This all needs to be paid for out of pocket and
up-front. It is the policy of MGH that “full complete
estimated payment needs to be obtained prior to
receiving first treatment at MGH.” "This is
understandable but puts Vivienne in a race not only for
her health, but also for finances," said Victoria
Naughton, who has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise
the necessary funds for Vivienne.
It was set up only yesterday but already people have
been donating steadily from all over Donegal, Ireland
and further afield.
"Please, let’s help Vivienne secure these funds so that
her chemotherapy treatment can begin and she can beat
cancer. Any amount is appreciated. Please donate what
you can and please share this fundraiser. I have no
doubt that we can raise these funds. The Irish community
is a tight-knit, strong and generous group. Those
affected by cancer are the same. Let’s do this," said
Victoria.
To visit the GoFundMe page, click
https://gofund.me
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