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Please join the IGF family in welcoming our newest Hero Grant Awardee, Saoirse Fitzgerald. Saoirse was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma three months ago at eleven months old. This happened only a few months after her mother, Kezia Fitzgerald, was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
This family’s life has been turned upside down not once, but twice in the last six months. Saoirse’s father, Mike Fitzgerald, is a car salesman in the local area where they live. He is rarely able to go to work because there are now two people in their family going through chemotherapy treatments and clinic visits. Between parking fees at the hospital, gas, missing work and a mortgage, this has taken an extreme financial toll on their family and they are struggling week to week.
Saoirse’s mother, Kezia, writes a blog for friends, family and the world to keep up-to-date on how everyone is doing. The blog is for this family to share their story and raise awareness about the diseases, but more importantly to show how a positive attitude can turn even the most difficult situation into life as usual.
The bottom line is that this family needs the help of the IGF family. Please join us and help them through this time of need. You can click here to make donations directly to Saoirse or make a donation at www.ishangala.org in her name. Thank you again for all of your help. Let’s make a difference for this family and for all families battling cancer.
Our first IGF Hero, 11-year old Mason Clark Thomas, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2011, after a six-year battle with Neuroblastoma. After an emotional private service, the family held a Celebration of Life for the entire community at Charlottesville Ice Park. The space was filled with photos, friends, and colorful balloons symbolizing Mason’s contagious smile, ever-giving heart and courageous spirit.
Mason fought Neroblastoma for six years. He was a true inspiration to us all. Mason showed sincere compassion and concern for his family. Even through all of the pain he endured, Mason never complained and never gave up.
The family expressed deep gratitude to the community for all of their love, support and encouragement. They gave special recognition to the Neuroblastoma team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center and to The University of Virginia Pediatric Hemotology/ Oncology Department, where Mason received treatments.
He is survived by his mother, Kelley Jean Kassay and her partner and Mason’s caregiver, James Michael O’Brien; his father, Scott Edward Thomas; a loving sister, Monica Paige Thomas; a brother, Parker Scott Thomas; his grandparents, Brenda Barrett, James and Lisa Kassay, Juanita and Francis Hunt, and Lawrence and Pam Thomas; an aunt, who Mason called his second mother, Jessica “Jesse” Rae Kassay-McAllister, and her husband, Mark; aunts, Penny Kassay and Shana Hunt; uncles, Kyle Kassay and his wife, Holly, Joel Kassay, Randolph Thomas and his wife, Eva, Shawn Thomas and Andy Thomas; two great-aunts, Nancy Honeywell and her husband, “Uncle Gary” and Debbie D’Agasciano; Danielle Musco “Aunt D”; cousins, Michael and David Ascenio, Andy Sarafina Kassay, Parker Heinemann (Mason’s best friend), Lorenzo, Riley and Jadynn “Jady Bug” McAllister, Liam Clark Kassay (named by Mason, due September 30, 2011), Colleen Kassay, and Randall, Hailey, Riley, and Skylar Thomas (per Mason’s request, due in August); and many other loving family and friends.
The Ishan Gala Foundation would like to thank all of our members for their donations and support given to the family of Mason Thomas. His family continues to inspire us with their dedication to this cause. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mason’s family and friends. Mason will greatly be missed by all of us here at
Hello to our IGF community and family. I wanted to welcome you to our new blog where we will host a series of discussions that will help you stay informed of what we are doing here at IGF. Thank you always for your support.
The Ishan Gala Foundation Blog 