The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are establishing a matching gift program for Rose Julia McKenna. The Society will match all donations received, up to a total of $5,000, to support the McKenna family. We ask that you consider a donation to assist this family through an incredibly difficult time.
In 2019, the McKenna’s received the terrible news that their daughter Rosie (2.5 years old) was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) which is a very rare, aggressive brain tumor. Since that time, Rosie has undergone a series of surgeries, intense in-patient chemotherapy as well as radiation.
Over the years, a few of our members have gotten to know Mike McKenna (Rosie’s Dad). Mike is a loving father and a strong family man.
Over the past 2 years, Mike has shared Rosie’s story of battling pediatric brain cancer with us. As of December of 2020, Rosie successfully won her battle with cancer and received a clean bill of health and rang the cancer free bell to close out the year. As you can imagine, this was a much welcomed miracle and relief for the entire family. Unfortunately, last week the doctors found another tumor on her brain and she underwent surgery to have the tumor removed this week. Mike and his wife, Julia, are still awaiting full results and what the next steps will be like for Rosie. We all can only imagine the emotional and financial setback this would have on a family.
Covid-19 and Rosie’s illness has taken a financial toll on the McKenna’s. Mike’s position in the restaurant industry suffered greatly during the pandemic, and Julia (Mike’s wife and Rosie’s Mom) took a 2 year leave from her teaching job to care for Rosie.
If you are in a position to support the McKenna family at this time, please consider a donation today. Your impact will be doubled by a matching gift from the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
