4-year-old's death from brain cancer won't stop fight in her name
Though 4-year-old Maiyanna Clemons-McCarthy lost her battle with a rare brain cancer on Wednesday, she will continue to be a part of efforts to find better detection methods for the aggressive disease.
Maiyanna died on Wednesday at home, surrounded by family, following a year-long battle with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). It's a type of tumor that begins in the brain stem.
Her family decided to donate her tumor to Stanford University so it can be studied, said her mom, Mycah Clemons of Penn Hills, a Valley High School graduate.
She said the donation simply “needed to be done.”
“The problem is not enough people do it,” she said. “I think DIPG is way deeper than we can fathom on the outside. And to give Maiyanna the shot at helping other people, it's what she would naturally do.”
DIPG grows in a way that prevents the tumor from being removed. Symptoms include double vision, difficulty in controlling eye and facial expression and difficulty chewing and swallowing. It can eventually affect motor skills.
Clemons said she intends to continue the work of Maiy's Miracle foundation, which aimed to raise money for her daughter's treatment and increase awareness about DIPG.
She believes earlier detection and treatment would have made a big difference in Maiyanna's fight.
Once the tumor begins to grow, even with treatment, the disease is typically fatal within one to four months.
During her short life, Maiyanna made a big impact on family, friends and those who support Maiy's Miracle.
Clemons promoted the foundation at a number of community events in the Alle-Kiski Valley.
“Her will and strength, her love and light, showed me and everyone around her that no matter the situation, always fight, always be strong and never surrender,” said Carl Valenti of Pittsburgh, a family friend and administrator of the foundation. “She was a very strong-willed, very loving, amazing little girl.”
Clemons said she wasn't sure at first whether she'd continue her involvement with the foundation.
“But I think (Maiyanna) would definitely want me to keep her foundation going,” she said. “She loved seeing her name out there.”
Clemons said she is finding strength in her faith and in Maiyanna's special spiritual connection.
“She went through the whole experience peacefully and with grace,” Clemons said. “She never cried or complained. She wasn't afraid at all. She didn't like to see people crying.
“The day before she passed away, she clearly told me that she didn't want me crying.”
Clemons said the family likely will hold a public memorial service next week.
Jodi Weigand is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4702 or jweigand@tribweb.com.
