This holiday season, the PSI/Police Foundations Society is rallying around a little girl and her family who are facing a difficult diagnosis.
Eight-year-old Lainey McMahon was recently diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer known as Germinoma. Lainey was playing with her brother when she unexpectedly lost sight in one of her eyes. A visit to the emergency room and a CT scan revealed a tumour pressing against her optic nerve.
Since then, McMahon has begun an intense treatment journey. She undergoes chemotherapy for three days, followed by 18 days of recovery.
Her treatments take place in London, Ont., where she and her family stay for a week at the Ronald McDonald House. If all goes well, the eight-year-old is able to return home for two weeks between treatments. This cycle will continue for approximately three and a half months.
McMahon is also part of a clinical trial that will require six weeks of radiation therapy in Jacksonville, Florida. While the family may be able to stay at a Ronald McDonald House during that time, the travel and related expenses are not covered. Throughout this journey, Lainey’s father has remained by her side full-time and is unable to work while she receives treatment.
The financial strain of travel, lodging, and daily expenses adds to an already overwhelming situation – one the McMahon family never expected to face.
That’s where the PSI/Police Foundations Society is stepping in.
To help ease the burden on the McMahon family, the Society is hosting a Bottle and Can Drive in Lainey’s honour. According to organizers, every cent raised will go directly to supporting the family and helping offset the unexpected costs that come with receiving long-term medical care.
"Being a member of the PSI society, I like helping people, and we have a lot of initiatives that we support," said Dakota Wilson, a second year-student in the PSI/Police Foundations program. "But after hearing Lainey’s story, it kind of hit close to home for me, because I have a history of working with children, and naturally, stories with kids are going to tug at your heartstrings."
"Given her age and just the family's financial situation, it just made me really sad. I just wanted to help out," Wilson added.
Community members can help by donating empty beer, alcohol, and liquor cans and bottles on Friday, Jan. 9, between 4 and 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Parking lot V (next to the Patti France Promenade) at the Cabana Road entrance to the College’s Main Windsor Campus.
The PSI/Police Foundations Society hopes this initiative not only helps cover expenses but also reminds the McMahon family that they are not alone.
Wilson says a small act – saving and donating your empties – can make a life-changing difference to the family.
"It makes me feel really good that I can do my part, and I'm really thankful for the opportunity, through the College, that it's so accessible and easy to help within our community," she said.
"I'm doing a very small gesture that's making a big difference."
