Islip Terrace woman who survived childhood cancer dies of organ failure

At age 7, Heather McNamara became the first child to undergo a high-risk operation to remove a tumor.

News 12 Staff

Jun 4, 2024, 12:44 AM

Updated 123 days ago

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The Islip Terrace community is mourning the loss of a child cancer survivor who died of organ failure on Saturday.
Heather McNamara was diagnosed with cancer when she was 3 years old. At age 7, she became the first child to undergo a high-risk operation to remove a tumor.
McNamara beat the odds and became an EMT with the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips.
Her services begin Wednesday at Chapey Funeral Home in East Islip.
McNamara was 22 years old.