It was early spring of 2007,  Bill McCarthy was 35 years old and life was changing in big ways for him.  He, his wife Heather and 3 children were settled into their new home.  This house was Bill's labor of love.  He  had spent months renovating and making it perfect for his family.  Home Improvement was just one of his passions along side being a father, playing and coaching hockey, golf, running, spending time in Falmouth and being a good friend to so many.  He was also making a major career move.  He decided to leave his current position to pursue his dream of working for himself.  He joined forces with long-time friend/colleague Sandy Finelli to create a insurance brokerage firm called Coastal Benefits.  Bill had resolved to earn business through hard work and honesty.   It was the Bill McCarthy way.

Ironically, also during this time Bill started experiencing painful headaches.  They were initially diagnosed as “sinus headaches.” He was told to treat them with Sudafed and a few other over-the-counter medications.  Despite the pain, Bill  began making his first cold calls and the new business endeavor was really beginning to gain momentum.  But soon the headaches became incapacitating.  There were times his head hurt so much he could barely get out of bed.  But in his typical style, Bill marched forward.

At the end June,  Bill and Heather were headed out for the evening when his heart began palpitating.  Concerned it was a heart attack they rushed to the ER.  It wasn't a heart attack.  His heart was as strong as ever.  But what was it?  Bill began thinking to himself about odd, little episodes he had been experiencing.  When packing for a trip the task of packing a suitcase seemed overwhelming.  While writing a note he had forgotten how to form an "N."  Putting together a simple soap dispenser seemed overly complex.  Were these coincidences?  Or was everything tied together in some way.  Something wasn't right.

The weekend of  July 4th 2007 brought the unexpected and unwelcome answer.  Bill was gathering his children into the car when he suddenly collapsed.  Heather rushed him to the hospital where tests revealed a mass.  He was immediately sent by ambulance to Brigham & Women’s Hospital where they confirmed it was brain cancer - Stage 4 Glioma and very aggressive.

This diagnosis immediately changed the lives of so many.  Shock. Anger.  Deep Sadness. These were just some of the raw feelings we all felt.  We all just kept asking "Why." But Bill, Heather and the McCarthy family quickly entered Fight Mode and never once looked back.  “God works in miraculous ways" Heather said. "And we’re going to get our Miracle.”  So many of us reached out to ask how can we be part of this courageous fight.  And so began Team McCarthy.  And soon we learned together we can make a difference and create miracles.

Click here for Team McCarthy’s Mission