The Malone family from County Cork is in a desperate race to raise enough funds for their daughter’s lifesaving operation in New York. They need $220,000. Back in October, three-year-old, Megan Malone, from Ballyvourney, County Cork, was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor, just one week after the birth of her little brother. Now she has landed in New York, ready for life saving treatment.

Just a week after the birth of her brother, Tristan, Megan was taken ill. Her parents, Sheila and John, brought her to the doctor when she started vomiting and losing her balance. A brain scan revealed that she had a grade four, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal (SPNET) tumor.

On Thursday the Malone family including baby Tristan, Chloe (7) and Dylan (5) left Dublin Airport for New York. Megan is expected to be in New York for up to nine months. She will be treated at the New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital.

Megan initially received chemotherapy but this treatment has been stopped in recent weeks to allow her to build up strength for her trip to New York.

Megan’s aunt, Brid Malone, spoke to the Irish Independent. She 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."

Brid also thanked the public for the enormous generosity which has been shown sign Megan’s website and fundraising for the trip started.

The Malone family will need to raise close to €220,000 to fund Megan’s treatment and accommodation costs. So far they have raised €80,000.

Visit her website at meganmalonetrust.org or donate to the fund at Ulster Bank, Ballincollig, Co Cork. Details are: Megan Malone Trust with Sort code: 985482. a/c: 10117900.