Pocono News Section

Helping a Young Woman in a Courageous Fight

Helping a Young Woman in a Courageous Fight - Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 10:00PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Mar 7, 2010 @ 11:00pm EST
KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY - A young Luzerne County woman is in the fight of her life against an aggressive form of cancer. And as she puts up a courageous fight, she got support on Sunday from a community that's showing it cares.

People packed The Pizza Mill in Kingston for a Sunday spaghetti dinner to benefit 20-year-old Mallary McClintock. The Kingston woman was diagnosed just last month with stage-3 ovarian cancer.

"I saw her. I went to go visit her in the hospital. And oh my goodness, oh, the poor thing. I feel so bad for her," said Mallary's cousin Gillian Kasko of Kingston.

Gillian was among several younger cousins on hand for the fundraiser -- but not too young to know that Mallary is battling a very serious disease.

Also on hand, some classmates at Luzerne County Community College enrolled with Mallary in LCCC's surgical technology program. "She always helped me with lab work when I didn't know an instrument, so she had my back," said classmate Caitlin Hanson of Wilkes-Barre. "If she didn't know an instrument, I had her back. She's a good kid, she really is."

A good kid who's supposed to graduate in the summer. "We just hope she pulls through with everything and she can be with all of us," said Ms. Hanson.

While many in the crowd know Mallary, some don't -- but showed up because they're moved by her story. "Well, I heard about it on WBRE that they were having a fundraiser for a cancer patient and I know some with cancer and my father died of cancer so I thought it's a good cause," said Stacey Clayworth of Edwardsville.

With hundreds of dinners and raffle tickets sold, Mallary's cousins are amazed. "I really appreciate it. I like all the support and I really appreciate everybody that's coming out to support Mallary," said Gillian.

"I think she would be, like, really happy and like she'd be surprised like Ohhh," said another cousin, Julia Sweeney of Forty Fort.

And this dinner crowd delivers more than just funds -- they also provide a message of hope. "Keep strong. I heard that she's been pulling through everything and she's just been amazing," said Ms. Hanson.

"She's gonna be fine. So, um, just keep her in prayers," said cousin Gillian.

Mallary McClintock is expected to wrap up 5-straight days of aggressive chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday. Her mother works at The Pizza Mill but has taken a leave of absence to care for Mallary.