Mackenzie was born on June 1, 2007 at University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was the picture of health weighing 7.9 pounds and reaching 20 inches in length.

Mackenzie Grace McMahan

She was a perfect baby.  Her first two weeks were just like any other little girl.  Her Mother, Megan, felt so blessed to have such a beautiful little angel.

From birth, Mackenzie had a problem spitting up, but soon the spitting up escalated to vomiting. Her family doctor referred her to a specialist.  After extensive testing a massive tumor was found on her kidney. The tumor had already grown to the size of a softball.  The tumor along with Mackenzie's Kidney were removed immediately.  After the operation, doctors performed a CT-Scan and found cancer on her liver and lungs.

Doctors believed that she may have had a Wilms Tumor which is the most common kidney tumor in children and has treatment protocols established.  They could not be sure until the test relults were final.  Family and friends prayed for the best. When the results came back the prognosis was not good. 

Mackenzie was diagnosed as having Rhabdoid cancer of the Kidney which is extremely rare and has no cure or treatment protocols.  Rhabdoid Cancer attacks about 150 children per year and is an extremely aggressive type of cancer. Survival is rare.

Mackenzie's fight on earth ended as she took her last breath while in her Mother's arms.  During her short life, Mackenzie taught us many lessons.  We have seen Mackenzie influence people to live better lives, grow closer to God and achieve new appreciation for their families and the time they have to spend together.  Mackenzie brought a community of people together to follow in her footsteps and find a cure so that other babies can live.