Cary community supports infant pediatric cancer patient

CARY – When Nick and Laura Malooley learned that the mass in their son McKai's leg was cancer, the news was devastating.

“It was heartbreaking,” Nick said. “It was a long drive home.”

After receiving the diagnosis, the family waited three weeks for test results to indicate the stage of their now-11-month-old son’s rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the body’s muscle and soft tissue. While the stage 3, category 3 results took time to process, the Malooleys wasted no time procuring a treatment plan at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Although radiation typically is the most effective course of action, McKai’s age and size complicate the issue. Radiation would adversely affect McKai’s pelvic growth and development near the site of the tumor. While the original plan was 40 weeks of chemotherapy beginning Feb. 1, upon discovering that the cancer had traveled to the lymphatic system, treatment was extended to 104 weeks.

“Our goal is to cure McKai, and we are very happy with the progress he has made to date,” said Dr. David Walterhouse, McKai’s oncologist.

McKai, who crawled around his parents as he played with his toys, continues to achieve developmental milestones. Not only does his smile consist of six teeth, but he also has mastered pulling himself up.

“The cancer is in the muscle of the leg. I never thought that he’d be able to crawl or stand up like he is right now,” Nick said.

While chemotherapy has eliminated the need for amputation by shrinking the tumor to a small enough size that it can be removed surgically, the drug McKai is being administered, cyclophosphamide, is known to cause infertility in the male reproductive system. To preserve his ability to have children, McKai has undergone an experimental procedure that removed testicular tissue containing stem cells with the hope that in the future, the cells can be stimulated to grant McKai the ability to become a father.

McKai is currently the youngest patient in the experimental study. Because he and the other patients still are in their youth, they have yet to have their own children.

Throughout his battle, the Malooleys have documented McKai's progress on their Facebook page Miracles for McKai. Originally started to keep family and friends informed, the page now provides an effective way for the family to communicate McKai's medical news and minimize repetitive conversations.

“I almost find it a little therapeutic being able to write about it,” Laura said.

Miracles for McKai currently has 1,749 likes and receives messages of positivity from its visitors. Family, friends, and strangers alike provide well wishes, some even coming from overseas. While support for McKai and his family is readily accessible on the page, the community has banded together in support through multiple other avenues.

On May 14, almost 1,000 supporters attended the Miracles for McKai fundraiser at Broken Oar in Port Barrington. T-shirts and bracelets supporting McKai’s fight have been popular and remain available at the family’s chiropractic office, Malooley Family Chiropractic in Cary.

Other local businesses have found a way to support McKai. Cary’s Breaking Bread Catering and Deli offered a menu item named “the McKai” throughout the month of April. All proceeds from the sandwich’s sales helped support the Malooley family.

Different methods have been taken by members of the community. Multiple home-cooked meals have been delivered to the Malooleys, allowing them to spend more time with McKai and his older sisters, Alanna and Tayven. When Nick and Laura have been busy, others have volunteered to pick their daughters up from school or coordinate play dates.

As the Malooley family navigates McKai’s treatment, Nick and Laura expressed gratitude for the assistance provided to them.

“If there’s anything else that has helped, it’s the support from this community we live in. Cary is amazing,” Nick said.