Help the McDonaghs Fight Henrys Stage IV

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

 

We are reaching out to you today with heavy hearts and a deep sense of urgency. Our dear friends, Angie and John McDonagh, are facing an unimaginable challenge. On the weekend of September 9th, their two-year-old son, Henry, was diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer, specifically hepatoblastoma. This news has sent shockwaves through their family, and we need your help to rally around them during this incredibly difficult time.

 

**Henry's Diagnosis:**

Henry, a twin to his sister Harper, had been experiencing discomfort in his stomach, which led Angie and John to seek immediate medical attention. What they thought was a routine checkup quickly turned into a nightmare when they received the heart-wrenching diagnosis. The cancer has already spread to Henry's lungs, requiring aggressive chemotherapy and ultimately a liver transplant to save his life. Although hepatoblastoma is a very rare childhood cancer, its incidence is more common among children under three years old who were born prematurely with very low birth weight. Liver transplantation has been used with success alongside chemo to treat hepatoblastoma. Like with many other cancer surgeries, chemo is used before and often after the transplant to control the cancer.

 

**The Financial Toll:**

Henry's medical team has made it clear that this journey will be financially devastating for Angie and John. The McDonagh family will essentially be living at the hospital in Spokane for a minimum of the next six months during Henry's intensive chemotherapy treatments. However, they will also need to travel to Seattle and potentially other parts of the country for specialized surgeries and consultations. The emotional toll of this situation is immense, and we want to ensure they can focus on Henry's recovery without the burden of financial stress.

 

**Supporting Harper:**

In the midst of this crisis, let's not forget Harper, who deserves a bright and vibrant life despite the challenges her family is facing. Angie and John are dedicated parents, and we want to make sure they have the means to support both their children emotionally and financially during this time.

 

**Our Mission:**

Angie's words resonate deeply: "We're going to fight like hell, and Henry is going to be just fine." We want to join them in this fight, showing them what a strong, supportive village looks like. Together, we can make a difference in their lives by easing the financial burden and helping them come out of this ordeal as strong as possible.

 

**How You Can Help:**

- **Donate:** Any contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way in covering Henry's medical expenses, travel costs, and other unforeseen expenses.

- **Share:** Please share this GoFundMe campaign with your network to help us reach a wider audience and increase our impact.

- **Pray and Send Positive Vibes:** Your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes mean the world to Angie, John, Henry, and Harper.

 

The McDonagh family is going to need all the love and support we can muster. Let's come together as a community, demonstrating our unwavering support for Angie, John, Henry, and Harper. They deserve it, and together, we can help them navigate this challenging journey and emerge stronger on the other side.

 

Thank you for being part of their story and for your generosity during this incredibly difficult time.

 

With heartfelt gratitude,

Hillary Omdal (fundraising organizer) and the McDonagh Family Support Squad