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| Last updated at 10:02 AM on 03/09/08 |
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Gideon Stairs (right) and his brother Victor at Sea World in Florida watching the dolphins swim by. Gideon and his family went on a trip to Florida, which was the result of a wish granted by the Children’s Wish Foundation. Gideon was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2007 and his wish was to go to Florida and see Lightning McQueen. |
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Gideon's wish 
CHILDREN'S WISH FOUNDATION
LEWISPORTE
TONIA PILGRIM
The Pilot
The Children's Wish Foundation has been granting wishes for children for 20 years and in that time has granted over 10,000. With the help from great volunteers a wish was made possible for Gideon Stairs and his family of 11.
The Children's Wish Foundation grants wishes for kids coping with high-risk, life threatening illnesses. The main idea behind the Children's Wish Foundation is to allow families a break from the day-to-day trials of test, treatments and hospital stays and to put a smile on a child's face.
The child has full say on what his or her wish will be and it has to be approved by a doctor.
Daphne O'Quinn is the subchapter chairperson and has been working with the Children's Wish Foundation for 12 years and has helped grant 15 wishes.
"It's up to the child what wish they want and the biggest thing is to go to Disney World," said Ms. O'Quinn. "I always tell them to dream big and to go big."
In May of 2007 she came to Lewisporte to hold a general meeting for volunteers and no one showed up. She went to the Lions Club and walked in and met Bill Hooper. Since then she has been getting great support from the area and Gideon's wish is the fourth one to be granted in this area.
When Ms. Quinn goes to a house where there is a wish to be granted it is very private - just her and one volunteer will go to the child's home and present them with a Lion.
"To see the excitement it is bitter sweet and overwhelming," said Ms. O'Quinn. "To hear about success stories it opens up doors for many other children that are able to enjoy what the Stairs family has enjoyed."
The Stairs family went to Florida and stayed at the Star Island Resort. They spent six days in total in Florida going on many exciting adventures.
All 12 family members said that it was great, wonderful time and it was very hot.
They spent three days at Disney World, two days at Universal and one day at Sea World.
"Universal was a lot of fun," said Courtney Stairs. "The older kids went on the scary rides and the other kids went to different places."
They received double strollers to go around the park and the staff were very accommodating. Gideon's highlight of the trip was getting to meet Lightning McQueen.
The Stairs family express their thanks for the opportunity to be able to spend this time together.
"The town has proven to us why we chose to be here," said Mr. Stairs. "It is very hard to put into words how we feel."
"It was great and exciting," said Jasmine Stairs.
Everyday on their trip the family posted a series of photos and it had everyone wanting to know what was going to happen next.
"I was looking everyday to see what they were doing on their trip," said Ms. O'Quinn.
Funds are very important to an organization like the Children's Wish Foundation and in Newfoundland and Labrador they don't raise enough money to grant all the wishes, so they get help from the rest of Canada.
"When you're talking about a child, who cares about money," said Ms. O'Quinn. "We need the awareness so that people can see what we do, and without fundraising we wouldn't be able to grant these wishes."
"It is very exciting for the people who receive their wish, you just can't put it into words. It's a thrill of giving something to a family who has been though enough, the excitement around it and the get together afterwards, and you make beautiful friends that will last a lifetime."
In Lewisporte there are a total of eight volunteers for the Children's Wish Foundation that include Lori Pardy, Trina Hooper, Thelma Hooper, Bill Hooper, Marlene Hancock, Cindy Primmer, Tammy Curlew and Heidi Canning. They are depended on 100 per cent to make wishes come true for children like Gideon and his family.
On Oct. 18 there will be a Xan Go Wish Maker Parade held in Lewisporte. This is a walk for wishes to raise money for the Children's Wish Foundation. They will be walking in sun, sleet or snow for two kilometers. This will be taking place all over Newfoundland and Labrador.
"It is really fun to do (make wishes come true)," said Ms. O'Quinn. "As long as there is sick children and money in Canada, wishes will come true in Newfoundland."
To obtain a pledge sheet for the Xan Go Wish Maker Parade, or to become a volunteer contact Trina Hooper at 535-6550; Daphne O'Quinn at 651-3233, or call the toll free number at 1-800-267-9474.
Gideon Stairs (right) and his brother Victor at Sea World in Florida watching the dolphins swim by. Gideon and his family went on a trip to Florida, which was the result of a wish granted by the Children's Wish Foundation. Gideon was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2007 and his wish was to go to Florida and see Lightning McQueen. Look to page 7A for more photos from the wish trip.Photo courtesy of the Stairs Family
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03/09/08
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