Our Families
This year’s recipient of the Paul Joseph McCarty Benefit will be Sara Brown-Parnell and her family. Sara is a mother of four. Her children are Tyler (16), Allison (13), Ryan (11) and Ayden (7). In November of 2002, Sara was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer) and at that time, had a kidney removed. No other treatment was needed. In 2005, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had her thyroid removed. In October 2011, Sara experienced an unexpected series of seizures, which left her unresponsive, on a ventilator, and not expected to pull through. Through nothing short of a miracle, Sara regained consciousness. It was discovered that the cause of the seizures was the spread of kidney cancer, which had now metastasized to the brain and lungs. Two brain tumors have been removed, while two others, as well as the lung tumors, were deemed inoperable.
Sara is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to try and shrink the remaining tumors. She is the primary caregiver to her four children, and is unable to drive or work, due to her history of seizures. Because of Sara’s previous battles with cancer, her medical costs have become overwhelming. Being chosen as this year’s recipient will not only help Sara and her family with medical and living expenses, it has already shown the caring and emotional support of the community around her.
Meet the many families who have been supported by the Cormac Finn McCarty Foundation – all of whom come back the following year to “pay it forward” and help the family who follows them.
Finn McCarty lost his dad when he was 10 weeks old from a car accident.
Danny & Rachel also lost their dad in a car accident.
The Campagna family was displaced after Hurricane Katrina and moved to South Riding, VA to be with Elba's sister.
Carter & Anna lost their dad to a rare form of cancer.
Maggie (14), Molly (11), Andrew (8) lost their dad to lung cancer.
Holly & Cody lost their dad to lung cancer.
