McKay was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma on February 17 2014 when he was three years old. He relapsed seven years later, almost to the day, on February 13 2021 at age ten.
In the weeks leading up to his first diagnosis, McKay experienced leg pains, intermittent low-grade fevers, and unusual fatigue. The symptoms were subtle and not what you would immediately associate with cancer, but their persistence raised concern after about three weeks and led to the discovery of his illness.
After ten remarkable years of courage, McKay passed away on March 17 2024. During his original treatment he coped with the usual immune-system challenges and some high-frequency hearing loss from chemotherapy, yet he rarely let those hurdles slow him down. During his three years of relapse treatments he enjoyed long stretches of time when he could simply be a kid, but in the final six to twelve months his blood counts stayed low and he became more fragile, which kept him from the sports he loved. Even then he never stopped finding joy in what he could do.
McKay’s medical journey was extensive. His first round of treatment included five cycles of induction chemotherapy, a stem-cell harvest, a six-and-a-half-hour resection surgery, two rounds of high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem-cell transplant, fourteen rounds of radiation, five rounds of immunotherapy, and six rounds of cis-retinoic acid. He then spent two additional years on a study drug called DFMO to help keep the cancer in remission. After relapse he underwent twenty-eight rounds of combined chemo and immunotherapy, seven more rounds of chemotherapy, forty-six rounds of radiation, and four rounds of MIBG full-body radiation therapy that required isolation for days at a time. As his case grew more complex, the family traveled frequently to specialized hospitals, often separated across states, which added to the hardship.
The impact on McKay’s family has been profound. They miss him every single day, yet his example guides them to treasure the small things, to focus on what truly matters, and to live life to the fullest. They strive to “live for McKay,” carrying forward the strength and perspective he taught them.
McKay was a quiet yet spirited boy, just shy of his fourteenth birthday when he passed. He loved video games, especially Zelda on the Nintendo Switch, and was known for his playful sense of humor. At the hospital he sometimes seemed reserved, but those lucky enough to gain his trust discovered a witty prankster who loved to make people laugh. He shared a special bond with each of his three sisters and two brothers; they were all his favorites, and he was theirs.
Wise beyond his years, McKay faced the reality of his illness with grace and courage, especially during the last six months of his life. When he was first diagnosed at age three, he earned the nickname “Lightning McKay” for his devotion to Lightning McQueen. Years later, during his relapse, friends and family honored his love of the Zelda games by saying they would “Link Up for McKay.”
As his family now plans their first portraits since his passing, they hope to capture the love that continues to surround him, celebrating both the memories they hold and the unbreakable connection they share with their beloved son and brother.
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