Cancer Treatment for Vivienne Lynch McDaid

Vivienne is in a race against time and we need to help her.

Chemotherapy treatment is necessary however it cannot begin until the hospital has received the full deposit of $150,000.00.

Vivienne wasn’t feeling well and went to her local hospital in Ireland where several tests revealed dreaded news…. she had cancer. The doctor said there was not much he could do to help her. This is when Vivienne’s family and friends stepped into action. They knew that Boston has the best hospitals, but how would they get Vivienne there? In the midst of a global pandemic, borders were effectively closed. A friend, a cancer survivor himself, had access to elite doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Dana Farber Cancer Institute and helped secure a consultation appointment for Vivienne. Another friend, with close ties to Washington DC, was able to expedite a medical visa and plane tickets were 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 of 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. Dr. Giantonio developed a treatment plan for Vivienne. She now faces 8 cycles of chemotherapy, which he is confident in and she is eager to begin.

Here is the catch. Vivienne’s medical coverage from 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.

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.