Always remembering
Mackenzie
Harry Potter fan Mackenzie was a happy and positive young lady. She showed absolute determination to live her life the way she wanted. Mackenzie passed away aged 18.
Mackenzie's story
Mackenzie was initially diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in October 2009, when she was just five-years-old.
She was treated at the Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Children. After gruelling treatment including chemotherapy, surgery and IL2 immunotherapy, Mackenzie completed her treatment in December 2010 and scans showed no signs of cancer.
Devastatingly, less than two years later, a routine MRI scan showed that the cancer had returned. Mackenzie had more chemotherapy and MIBG treatment in London to treat the relapse.
There are limited options for relapsed neuroblastoma available in the UK, so her parents, Kimberley and Jason, launched a fundraising appeal with Solving Kids' Cancer UK to raise the funds needed for Mackenzie to access treatment in Germany.
Mackenzie went on to access haploidentical stem cell transplant treatment with more immunotherapy in Germany in March 2014 and completed treatment in August 2014. Scans in January 2015 showed her disease remained stable.
After nearly seven years off treatment, in February 2021 Mackenzie noticed a lump on the side of her head near her temple, which was confirmed as neuroblastoma. Fortunately, the cancer had been found early and had not spread. Mackenzie underwent surgery to remove the tumour and was recovering well. She began radiotherapy in March 2021.
A year later, in March 2022, Mackenzie’s family were devastated once again to learn she had relapsed for a third time, and the disease had spread to other parts of her body.
Mackenzie sadly passed away on 14th April 2022.
"It’s with the heaviest and most broken of hearts that we announce that our amazing and beautiful daughter Mackenzie has left us. She has been a fighter since the day she was born and for the last 13 years where she fought her cancer with everything she had! We are the proudest parents. You were the most amazing daughter, we feel so lucky we got 18 years with you. You will never be forgotten by us all. Fly high and pain free now baby girl."
Mackenzie's family
Donations made in loving memory of children
Funds raised in loving memory of Mackenzie will be used to support other children like Mackenzie and their families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities. Any funds raised through a previous fundraising campaign for access to treatment which were not spent on the child's treatment and pastoral needs are used to support other children and families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities.
Donations and comments
Anonymous£297,939.00
Donated on: 14th August 2019
Previous donations to Solving Kids' Cancer