In the spring of 2007, Bill started getting painful headaches.  Initially diagnosed as “sinus headaches” he was told to treat them with Sudafed and a few other over-the-counter medications.  During this time he had left his position with First Marblehead Corporation to pursue his dream of working for himself.  He joined forces with long-time friend/colleague Sandy Finelli to create a brokerage firm, Coastal Benefits.  As he began making his first cold calls as an independent broker, incapacitating headaches began to plague him.  There were times his head hurt so much he could barely get out of bed.  Still operating under the diagnosis of sinus headaches, the new business endeavor continued and began to gain momentum!

Towards the end June, Bill and Heather were headed out for the evening when his heart began palpitating.  Concerned he was having a heart attack they rushed to the ER were it was determined it was not a heart attack - his heart was as strong as ever.  But what was it?  Bill also began thinking about odd little experiences.  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."   Were these things coincidences?  Something didn’t seem right.

The weekend 4th of July 2007 brought an unexpected and unwelcomed 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.  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 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 create miracles.

Click here for Team McCarthy’s Mission