The Mulcahy family is rallying around one of their own, 26-year-old Devin Mulcahy, who was just diagnosed with stage four colon cancer on September 2. A benefit will be held on his behalf on October 11, at Copeland’s Bar and Grill, in Manteno.
Muclahy’s oldest sister, Amanda Berg, is organizing the benefit for her little brother in hopes of raising enough funds to help pay for his treatments and support him while going through treatment.
“It’s hard because when you hear a story like this, of course it’s heartbreaking, but Devin is so special. He’s not like anyone else I know. He’s so undeserving of this, he’s so pure, he’d never hurt a soul, he’s kind to children, animals, and it’s — this just really sucks,” Berg said of her younger brother and his diagnosis.
Devin Mulcahy discovered the cancer after feeling intense pain — more than anything he had ever felt before. It was so bad, he drove himself, in his beloved Ford Raptor, to the emergency room. Initially, he thought it might be his gallbladder and, in fact, the emergency room doctors at Edwards Hospital initially suspected an inflamed gallbladder, too.
However, after testing and some scans, the emergency room doctor was alarmed enough to admit Mulcahy, and the next day, doctors performed an emergency colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.
“That’s when the gastroenterologist said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this. His colon is filled with hundreds, if not thousands of tumors and lesions, and it ripped the liver,” Berg said — the news a devastating blow for Mulcahy and his loved ones.
The biopsy revealed the diagnosis: stage 4 adenocarcinoma, which had metastasized to his liver.
Certainly, he was too young to face a diagnosis of such grave magnitude, and he had already overcome so much, Berg explained. She expressed regret over not being able to protect him from this, as his big sister.
Mulcahy was born on November 7, 1998, with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which came with a lot of uncertainty. He had major surgery at four years old, and doctors were unsure how long he would live. However, he survived, and despite struggling initially with development delays and issues with eating, drinking, and talking – by and large, he overcame those issues.
“He loves his nieces and nephews, loves his family. He loves hockey – huge Chicago Blackhawks fan. He’s very honest, very loyal, and has a great sense of humor. Devin has an amazing memory and could tell you hockey stats and you wouldn’t even believe— it’s like a photographic memory,” Devin’s sister shared about who he is as a person.
Mulcahy had been working at O’Reilly Autoparts, but has not been able to work since visiting the emergency room. Once he turned 26, he was no longer eligible to stay on his mother’s insurance, and currently has Medicaid, which unfortunately presents many additional hurdles in his care. The oncologists at Edwards Hospital could not accept his insurance, so he had to seek out a new care team.
On a bright note, as the youngest of four siblings, Mulcahy is certainly not without moral support. His mother and three sisters, along with many friends and a girlfriend, Sabrina, of seven years, are all rooting for him.
If someone doesn’t feel comfortable or can’t attend the event, they encourage anyone who can help to donate a raffle item or make a direct donation.
“All the proceeds will go directly to Devin to help him not worry about working and bills while he’s going through treatment,” Berg said.
The event will feature live music, dinner, raffle baskets, a split-the-pot, games, and more, she added.
“We’re just hoping for a lot of our emotional community to show up and support him,” Berg said.
Though Mulcahy resides in Plainfield with his mother, Linda Berg, the family has ties to the area. Amanda Berg lives in Bradley, sister April Mulcahy lives in St. Anne, and sister Amber Doychev lives in Manhattan.
Copeland’s has hosted many family gatherings for the Mulcahys in the past, so it seemed like the perfect choice to host the benefit.
“We like supporting that family-owned business, and they have great food — great pizza!” Wozniak added.
With Mulcahy’s cancer having just been discovered, doctors still are determining the complete treatment plan. He has to go in for more scans just before the benefit to determine if the cancer is operable, but until then, the plan is to attack the cancer with a very aggressive chemotherapy regimen.
“Finding out I have Stage 4 cancer at 26 was a shock. Some days it feels unreal, but I know I’m not facing this alone. My family and friends give me the strength to keep pushing forward,” Devin said in a statement.
For those wishing to learn more about Devin and join him in his fight against colon cancer, visit https://teamdevin.lovable.app/. For the benefit, $30 tickets can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite, www.eventbrite.com/e/team-devin-benefit-tickets-1693314753009, or at the door.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.