Kildalkey rallies round brave cancer victim Mannix (4)

The parents of a four-year-old Kildalkey boy who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer are appealing for help in their fundraising efforts to send their son for lifesaving treatment in the United States. Bryan and Noleen Kane from Moyrath View, Kildalkey, learned the devastating news that their four-year-old son, Mannix, was suffering from clear cell sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, just two weeks before Christmas. A routine visit to their GP ended up as every parents' worst nightmare when, six days later, Noleen and Bryan were told the heartbreaking news that their son had this rare and aggressive form of cancer. "Two weeks before Christmas, I took Mannix to the local GP for what I believed would be a prescription for an antibiotic. Instead, an ambulance was called and my litte boy visited three different hospitals, had countless scans and and MRIs followed by two biopsies. Six days later, we were given the devastating news that our little boy has clear cell sarcoma, stage four," recalled Mannix's mother, Noleen. She explained that Mannix has two tumours - one on his kidney and the second behind his right eye. Brave Mannix has started treatment in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, and Mrs Kane said that his treatment plan consists of 30 weeks of aggressive combination chemotherapy, surgery to remove his kidney and one of the tumours, and radiation treatment to tackle the second tumour. He must also get daily injections to help improve his platelet count. At the end of this treatment, Mannix's condition will be assessed. Mrs Kane explained that, unfortunately, the chances of full recovery is low and the chance of relapse with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is very high. This leads to less than 40 per cent survival rates, which is Mannix's parents' worst fear. In this case, the couple hope to bring Mannix to the United States and involve him in clinical trials that are not available in Ireland, and neither is funding for this kind of treatment. Friends and family have rallied around to help in the fundraising efforts and already a number of fundraising events have been planned. The family says that any help that people can give would be much appreciated, such as holding a fundraising event, making a collection at a place of work, spreading the word amongst family and friends by email, or by making a personal donation. An online doantion can be made by visiting the appeal website www.mannixkaneappeal.org A Facebook page 'Please Help For Mannix' has also been set up where countless messages of support and pledges to help have been posted. A benefit night in aid of Mannix will take place in the Snug House, Kildalkey, on Friday 5th February at 8pm. Tickets are €10 and are available at the door on the night. Paul Hennessy, who runs the Evolution Stage School with Tracey Carty, is launching a CD in aid of the appeal. Mannix is a member of their Kildalkey class. Mr Hennessy has been given a song written by Charlie McGettigan which is being recorded this week with the students of Evolution Stage School. The CD is expected to be on sale within the next two weeks and all proceeds are going to the Mannix Kane Appeal.