Couple who lost son to cancer look to ‘bring people together’

WEST HAVEN — Even though they tragically lost their 51⁄ 2- year-old son Mickey to cancer in 2016, Mark and Rachel Macholl still have faith.

So with all the strife in the world today concerning the pandemic and political division, the Macholls have decided to bring some of their lightness to the world through a livestream called “Believe” that will be take place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in December on the “Mickey’s Fight” Facebook page. To see the livestream, “like” the Facebook page. Their sons, Trey, 13, and Tyce, 10, will make guest appearances.

As in everything they do, Mickey will be present in spirit, they said. The Macholls now live in North Carolina, but grew up in West Haven and still have many family ties in the city. When their book “Mickey’s Fight” was released in 2019, they traveled to to West Haven to hold a book signing at Duffy’s Tavern.

“We want something to bring people together,” Mark Macholl said in an interview from North Carolina.

Mickey, a kid described as “outgoing, full of personality,” will be there not only in spirit, but in the material. In the first episode, the family was to read one of three children’s books Mark

Macholl has written — this first one, “The Brother’s Christmas,” originally was penned to comfort Trey, who would always get sad around holidays since his brother’s death. It’s one of three adventure books featuring three brothers.

During the livestreams, someone will receive a free, autographed copy of “Mickey’s Fight” from the Macholls, talking about Mickey’s brave, painful fight against cancer and their fight to allow parents the option of integrative care involving small doses of traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy, with the addition of vitamins, oils and other natural substances. For readers who have been awaiting the sequel to “Mickey’s Fight,” they will read an excerpt from the forthcoming book, “2 a.m.”

“Our biggest goal is to raise awareness of childhood cancer,” Rachel Macholl said. “Ultimately, we want to form a movement for integrative medicine.”

The Macholls say they keep Mickey in their everyday lives, but “in a happy way.” But the livestream won’t be sad — and the audience will be able to weigh in with their holiday stories and beliefs.

“On a personal level, it’s a way to share Mickey with anyone who hasn’t met him,” Mark Macholl said of

Contributed photo In this 2015 photo, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit the Macholl family. Mickey, left, lost his battle with cancer the following year. This photo appears in the book, “Mickey’s Fight,” written by Mark and Rachel Macholl.