4-Year-Old Cancer Survivor’s Disney Wish Will Still Come True Even After Dad Refuses Permission for First Trip — See How
- Posted on July 20, 2012 at 10:45am by
Liz Klimas
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(Photo: Wikimedia)
On Thursday, The Blaze brought you the story of a 4-year-old Ohio girl who had recently finished her last cancer treatment after battling the disease for two years. She was granted her dream to visit Disney World in Florida through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but because her father wouldn’t sign off on her going, her mother had to find another way to get her there.
Within three days of the original story hitting the media in the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune and only a couple days of it making it on national outlets, McKenna May will have her trip, but through a different dream-making organization.
McKenna May and her mother Whitney Hughes (Photo: Enoch Wu/Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune)
Although the Make-A-Wish director for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana said McKenna qualified to take the trip, even though she was done with treatment and hopefully on the road to only getting better, McKenna’s father, William May, said he believed the money should only go to children who have six months or less to live. Because of that, he wouldn’t sign the paperwork to let her go. The Sentinel-Tribune reported that Make-A-Wish required both parent’s consent for trips, except for in rare cases where the parent wasn‘t known or couldn’t be found.
Enter Jamie’s Dream Team. The grassroots, volunteer-based dream-making organization based out of Pittsburgh was moved by McKenna’s predicament and came forward. Without the same legal stipulations as Make-A-Wish, Jamie‘s Dream Team believes they’ll be able to send McKenna to Florida as planned — without the family themselves having to raise money as they had begun to do.
Jamie Holmes with McKenna May (Photo via Facebook)
Jamie Holmes, who founded the organization in 2005 when she was just 17, said that since the McKenna’s mother Whitney Hughes has custody and is legally allowed to take her daughter out of the state, the trip is on. Holmes said in an interview with The Blaze while she was driving to Toledo to meet McKenna in person Friday morning that they’re hoping to send the family to “the happiest place on earth” in early to mid-August, which was when the original trip had been planned for.
Jamie Holmes, founder of Jamie's Dream Team. (Photo via Jamie's Dream Team Facebook)
“I believe that no matter if she is done with her treatment now or not, she battled and she went through all of the heartache, all of the pain,” Holmes said. “She wants to be Cinderella and if she can legally go, she should get to go.”
Watch Holmes, stepping into the role of “fairy godmother,” speak to a local news station here.
Learning of McKenna’s situation Thursday, Holmes said they emailed the family offering to send them on the trip they were hoping to take and they accepted. In Ohio, Holmes and her team will finish up paperwork with the family and get to know the little girl whose wish they are helping make come true.
“I want to get to know them as well as possible,” Holmes said, explaining that Jamie’s Dream Team, which has completed more than 300 wishes in its seven years operating, makes site visits for all those it helps. “It’s very important to me to meet each and every recipient. It’s a lot more personal and makes me feel better as well.”
Holmes, who battles with illness herself, something that inspired her to begin this organization in the first place, said that since she knows what it is to be sick, she takes pleasure in seeing the “smile on an individual’s face and [knowing] that I got to help make them happy.”
Jamie’s Dream Team has completed dreams that range from trips to fashion shows to helicopter rides. Perhaps what makes the organization the most unique though is that its 100 percent volunteer base is composed of individuals who are or have battled with sickness or those who have been touched by illness through someone else in their life.
Stay tuned: The Blaze will update this post with any photos or comments from the family after Jamie’s Dream Team visits them today.
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toiletclogga
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:44pmThe father is right. This trip should go to a family whose child will die within the next year. Both mother and father ought to thank the Lord for their child’s recovery. No doubt that should be celebration enough. It’s time they do what everyone else does; pay for their own trip to Disney.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:41pmA four-year old who has gone through two years of cancer treatment?
They ought to put the father through a couple of years of the same treatment and see how he feels about what his daughter has endured!!!!!!!!
Report Post »95bravo10
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 5:34amGlad this young lady is getting things done.
Report Post »I still don’t care about dad or mom. Just as long a a 4 year old who has fought for her life, for HALF of her life gets what she wants I’am good with that.
We can never know what is going on inside another family. That ain’t even my place to ask.
Is dad right or wrong? Once again I don’t care. He may be trying to teach a child a life lesson, But at 4 my kids and grand kids only knew what was bright and shiny right NOW.
But I still do not care. I just want to see this brave little girl get what she wants.
She may learn another lesson in spite of this. How to care about others. And want to help others who may be in need.
Tigress1
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:03pmUltimately, probably the most important lesson that she will remember from all of this is simply the kindness from complete strangers.
Report Post »lifeexperience
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 7:58pm@9111315
Report Post »Are you trying to say Mom should have worked while daughter was fighting cancer? You clearly know nothing about cancer treatments. Frequently, they are daily. Kids are hospitalized for weeks/months at a time. I can‘t think of a better reason for her to get pubic assistance to be at her daughter’s side during rigorous, painful, scary treatments. Oh and for anyone that thinks she should be thinking of “those less fortunate,” she is four, she could have died. She WAS the less fortunate for 2 years!
sldjulius
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 6:30pmHorrible parents. Her trip tp Disney will soon be forgotten, but the memory of her parents using her and her illness as a weapon against each other will last a lifetime. Way to go Blaze to just be one more media outlet to put in their two cents… : P
Report Post »billo
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 5:36pmHEY!! Let’s take a lesson from ABC News. Turn “ABC” into a verb. Let’s just ABC the dad!!! That’ll teach em!! (Said with a Texas “twang”)
Report Post »TWO BITS
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:25pmWonderful! Many thanks to Ms. Holmes for her sympathetic response to this child. McKenna is hardly “spoiled” after what she has endured for half her life, and no one is harmed by allowing her to enjoy a brief respite.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 2:15pmThank You Jamie Holmes for being such an exceptional young woman with a caring heart to take time to help children like McKenna on her wish, God Bless You.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:53amIt’s a shame that the Make-A-Wish Foundation has somehow gotten the reputation that it is only for kids who are dying. That is not true! The wishes are granted to ANY child that has a catastrophic illness. It is a reward for FIGHTING something that can kill. It is not simply for those who have no prognosis. How depressing would that be? No child would ever want a wish if he/she meant that he/she was dying! The wish would be a sign to give up! Make-A-Wish grants wishes to severely ill children all with the hope of survival. It’s something that the children can look forward to while undergoing treatment. I know. My kid had a wish granted.
Report Post »Jade.Peverell
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:55pmOnce upon a time, it was only for terminal kids. My brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in the mid ’80s when he was 1. He was considered terminal for the next 3 years and he suffered from the treatment. My parents applied to Make-a-wish (I can’t remember for what wish) and shortly after my brother made a miraculous recovery, and Make-a-wish took him off of their list since he was no longer considered terminal. His roommate was a teenage boy whose wish was to meet Mark Harmon, who came and spent time with the boy and brought him many gifts from the cast of St. Elsewhere. The poor child died soon after. I am glad that Make-a- Wish has changed since then and helps any child who is seriously ill.
Report Post »And just because this little girl is through with her treatments does not mean she will not still suffer. My brother STLL suffers from the after effects of his four years of surgeries, radiation, and chemo. I wish her all the best as she grows up.
Tigress1
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 1:15pmOh! Thank you! I didn’t know that about Make-A-Wish. I’m happy that your brother is a survivor, but I think you can see why they changed then. It must have been just too depressing to be told that you could get a wish! Kind of like you “last meal” to prisoners on Death Row. I’m always surprised that the prisoners can even eat it. My husband and I even gave our kid a wish (in addition to Make-A-Wish’s). We promised him anything he wanted (that could be purchased) when he finished treatment. He wanted a Golden Retriever. I bought him a stuffed animal “Golden Retriever” dog that he brought with him to the hospital. The dog always “watched” him while he was there, giving him something to dream about and look forward to when treatment was over. Afterwards when treatment was finished we let him pick out his real puppy. Such a happy day! That dog has since lived a long and happy life and gone to “doggy heaven” but my son is still alive. Just the idea of something special or a fun time ahead can give these kids all the hope in the world to keep on fighting.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 2:15pmIf they wait until she has only 6 months left, she will be too sick to enjoy the trip! I know, I’ve been there (not given the diagnosis of 6 mo to live, but too sick from chemo).
Report Post »FinanceSrS
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:44amIt’s nice that people want to help but what about the father? This kid is 4. Does everyone know better than her father? Perhaps he’s teaching her a lesson on caring for others by giving the opportunity to someone with only 6 months to live. Teaching her sacrifice. I took my kids to Disney World when they were 4 and 5 and they don’t even remember it. I don’t know all the facts but it seems no one has even considered this is his decision as well. So many times “good Samaritans” swoop in and take over with decisions that are colored by their own experiences and emotions. Perhaps we should hear from the father before strangers over rule him and interfere in the raising of his child. Then again he could be a jerk but he’s still the father. Where do we draw the line in interfering ? Bed time? What shoes to wear? Let’s just agree that we should at least hear from the dad before we barge in, OK?
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:02pmTotally agree, Financersrs. At 4 years old, this little girl has very little concept of what’s happening. The mother and “other people” are hyping it so the girl is excited. As you said, I’d be surprised if she retained much in the way of “memories that last a lifetime” from the experience.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:10pmI just think there is a misunderstanding. The father is still protecting his little girl. He just doesn’t understand that Make-A-Wish is for all children who have had a serious life-threatening illness. (see my above post) His daughter is cured and that is all he is thinking about. It’s a shame nobody explained to him WHY it is for all sick children, not just those with 6 months to live.
Report Post »FinanceSrS
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:12pmThe best way to recover from any illness or personal trial is to look at others worse off than you and try to help them. What a great lesson her dad wanted to teach her. For the rest of her life she could look at how she GAVE to someone that was dying. However emotional women crashed the party and taught her that the only reason she had to live for was to go to DisneyWorld. That the parents can be over ruled. Make no mistake, this time the dad got over ruled but the next issue it well may be the mom’s wishes that gets nixed. However in our current “feelings” society the children must be instantly pleased at all costs. Then we wonder why the grow up to be selfish. I applaud the efforts of those trying to help, however sometimes hell is paved with good intentions.
Report Post »ubuibi
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:17pmIf you had read the original story, both the little girls mother and grandmother said that the father was doing this out of revenge for the mother not allowing him visitations. His intentions were and are not as noble as this article leads us to believe. Why should the little girl get caught in the crossfire? Hasn’t she already been through enough?
Report Post »On another note….so she won’t remember the trip ten years later, she shouldn’t go? Your children may not remember that trip now….but I’ll bet they had a blast during the trip and it was the best thing ever at the time.
FinanceSrS
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:29pmSo the mom and the mother in law said it was revenge. Guess we should automatically believe them and not the dad. I did say he could be a jerk so I covered that possibility. However the point about her not remembering is that teaching her that outsiders can over rule her father is far more damaging than going to DW is rewarding. For the new foundation to talk to the dad first would be the right thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see her go but NOT in the way the article PORTRAYED it. So if I’m wrong, great send her. But if I’m right, well, nuf said. BTW I think it’s great we can have these conversations and not one time has anyone cussed the other. Other boards could take note! Have a great day!
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:31pm@Financersrs, I kind of understand what you are saying, but the child is FOUR! She spent half of her life being poked, prodded, in pain, crying, puking, on and on. She probably doesn’t even know why her life was so tormenting, and probably doesn‘t realize that most children’s lives aren’t like that! She has to contemplate about giving to OTHERS??? Gosh! Let the child dream about being a princess in fairyland for crying out loud! Let her be a CHILD!
Report Post »The people at Make-A-Wish and Jamie’s Dream Team understand this. That’s what it is all about.
blackstone22
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:40pmwow, how bizarre ! You are a callous idiot, loser. How could anyone deny a little girl who has been battling cancer for two years a trip to Disney Land? Do you know what cancer treatments are like? I watched my mother die of cancer, the drugs,the chemo, the nausea, the hours spent in the hospital, getting blood drawn, not being able to eat, losing your hair. This little girl’s mother has custody so clearly the father is some loser a-hole and you are siding with him? Are you a complete moron? Who are you to decide that a four year old seeing Mickey Mouse wouldn’t bring welcome joy to this little girl who has been trapped in hospitals while her friends are out playing in the sunshine.
Report Post »ubuibi
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:41pm@ Tigress……..DITTO!!!!
Report Post »ubuibi
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:47pm@FinanceSrS you spoke to soon and jinxed the thread…pointing @Blackstone22…..that invited the children into the discussion.
Report Post »JediKnight
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 3:12pm@Finance: I was thinking along the same lines. We don‘t really know what’s going on with the situation. It’s great that she gets to go, but there‘s more to this that we don’t know about.
Report Post »9111315
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:37amGreat, the mom got a job and saved money for the trip. . . . oh, she is just going after different handout.
Report Post »GreatGu
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:07amJamie Holmes, this world needs more people like you. God Bless you in all that you do.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:06amOdd coincidence…. the killer in Colorado is James Holmes and the provider of dreams & hope is Jamie Holmes….
We all have choices.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:54amNICE POST!
Excellent reminder that we serve somebody: it may be the devil or it may be THE LORD, but we all gotta serve somebody.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 11:01am…
Report Post »God bless her. Hope she has a great time at Disney World.