For SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Westhaver family, a trip to Disney World in Florida next year will mark a clean break from three years of all-encompassing stress and worry.
In March 5, 2009, just before Jack WesthaverB次元官网网址檚 sixth birthday, doctors diagnosed him with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. That day he was on a flight to B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 hospital, a place that became his home away from home until last June, when his treatment successfully concluded.
On Tuesday, Westhavers helped kick off the Help Fill a Dream FoundationB次元官网网址檚 fundraiser in collaboration with the seven Country Grocer stores on Vancouver Island. The foundation is sending the family to Disney World and a Disney cruise next May.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a journey weB次元官网网址檝e made by choice,B次元官网网址漵aid Mena Westhaver, JackB次元官网网址檚 mom. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a long and bumpy road that affects every aspect of what the family does. What (Help Fill a Dream) is doing is hugely appreciated.B次元官网网址�
Jack, now 9, selected the Disney trip, although when initially offered B次元官网网址渁nything in the world he wanted to do,B次元官网网址� he opted to have the Canucks hockey team over for dinner, said Mena laughing. Unfortunately wrangling up professional hockey players wasnB次元官网网址檛 within the power of Help Fill a Dream.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 surreal for a kid to be offered anything in the world. It was pretty funny,B次元官网网址� Mena said.
B次元官网网址淔or Jack, the trip is a new start and catchup time for him too. He can start being a kid again.B次元官网网址�
With three brothers B次元官网网址� Jake, 6, Andy, 11 and Marty, 13 B次元官网网址� JackB次元官网网址檚 three-and-a-half years of treatment took its toll on the St. JosephB次元官网网址檚 school student and his siblings.
Leukemia treatment weakened his immune system, which allowed limited contact with his brothers and friends. Through his Grade 1 year, he attended perhaps 10 days of school, although by Grade 3 he was up to nearly full-time.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like living in a bubble,B次元官网网址� Mena said. B次元官网网址淵ou have to think about illnesses, that heB次元官网网址檚 susceptible to viruses and had a low immune system. ItB次元官网网址檚 a different lifestyle.B次元官网网址�
Mena left her job with the District of Saanich to be in Vancouver at the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, and his dad Norm, a Saanich firefighter, looked after the rest of the boys.
B次元官网网址淭he fire department is like another family,B次元官网网址� Norm said. B次元官网网址淎nything we needed, they were there. ItB次元官网网址檚 a blessing to have that for sure.B次元官网网址�
Victoria-based Help Fill a Dream helps 50 to 70 Vancouver Island families per year. Assistance can be a family vacation, but also emergency money and living expenses when family members suddenly have to relocate to Vancouver to be near the B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital.
Country Grocer stores are donating proceeds from Christmas tree sales, flower bouquets and at-the-till donations (called paper T-shirts) until Dec. 15.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e happy to be involved. Last year we raised more than $10,000. This year we hope to do a lot better,B次元官网网址� said Peter Caven with Country Grocer. B次元官网网址淏eing able to help local families is great.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e have a company based on Vancouver Island helping an organization based on Vancouver Island, helping children and families from Vancouver Island," said Denyse Koo, president of Help Fill a Dream. B次元官网网址淭his really is home-grown.B次元官网网址�
For more on the Help Fill a Dream Foundation click .
editor@saanichnews.com
