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Princess for a day
  
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Little girl battling cancer was taken on Disney adventure
By VALERIE JONES
Most young girls want to be treated like princesses. Well, one girl from Cypress was treated like a princess – and able to meet some, too.
Seven-year-old Elise was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (the most common form of leukemia in children) in Aug. of 2004 and has been in and out of hospitals since, having undergone two bone marrow transplants and multiple chemotherapy treatments.
When Elise’s mother Bethany was told about Kids Wish Network by a social worker at Texas Children’s Hospital, Bethany knew she wanted Elise to participate.
It turns out Elise’s wish was to meet all the princesses at Disney World, and her Wish Coordinator Jill Atchison made it happen.
“Usually we get about a month to prepare, but we did everything for Elise in about a week-and-a-half,” Atchison said. “It was really special, knowing how sick Elise is. It was so rewarding doing this for her.”
Elise and her mother were accompanied by the rest of their family on their 5-day stay at Disney World.
“Elise’s main goal was to see the princesses – all of them,” Bethany said. “She loved it. It is something she has wanted to do since she was three years old.”
Elise and her family’s fun was interrupted when Elise had to visit a cancer clinic for a blood transfusion. Then on the way to Magic Kingdom, the car had a flat tire.
“A Disney World security guard named Robert showed up and he was our knight in shining armor,” Bethany said. “My husband explained our situation to the security guard and he drove us to the front gate of Magic Kingdom so we could go to Cinderella’s castle for lunch. A bad day turned into the best day ever.”
Bethany said Elise had the time of her life visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM Studios and meeting Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Bell, Snow White, Jasmine and Ariel.
“She has never really gone on vacation because her condition really keeps her from doing so many fun, normal things,” Bethany said. “Many people take life for granted – she doesn’t. I am so happy she was able to go and enjoy herself.”
Not only was the Disney trip a memorable moment for Elise, but Bethany said she will also remember it for the rest of her life.
“I had to stop myself from crying so many times because I knew she was having the best time of her life,” Bethany said. “I am so lucky she was able to go and so honored to watch her have so much fun.”
Seven-year-old Elise was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (the most common form of leukemia in children) in Aug. of 2004 and has been in and out of hospitals since, having undergone two bone marrow transplants and multiple chemotherapy treatments.
When Elise’s mother Bethany was told about Kids Wish Network by a social worker at Texas Children’s Hospital, Bethany knew she wanted Elise to participate.
It turns out Elise’s wish was to meet all the princesses at Disney World, and her Wish Coordinator Jill Atchison made it happen.
“Usually we get about a month to prepare, but we did everything for Elise in about a week-and-a-half,” Atchison said. “It was really special, knowing how sick Elise is. It was so rewarding doing this for her.”
Elise and her mother were accompanied by the rest of their family on their 5-day stay at Disney World.
“Elise’s main goal was to see the princesses – all of them,” Bethany said. “She loved it. It is something she has wanted to do since she was three years old.”
Elise and her family’s fun was interrupted when Elise had to visit a cancer clinic for a blood transfusion. Then on the way to Magic Kingdom, the car had a flat tire.
“A Disney World security guard named Robert showed up and he was our knight in shining armor,” Bethany said. “My husband explained our situation to the security guard and he drove us to the front gate of Magic Kingdom so we could go to Cinderella’s castle for lunch. A bad day turned into the best day ever.”
Bethany said Elise had the time of her life visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM Studios and meeting Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Bell, Snow White, Jasmine and Ariel.
“She has never really gone on vacation because her condition really keeps her from doing so many fun, normal things,” Bethany said. “Many people take life for granted – she doesn’t. I am so happy she was able to go and enjoy herself.”
Not only was the Disney trip a memorable moment for Elise, but Bethany said she will also remember it for the rest of her life.
“I had to stop myself from crying so many times because I knew she was having the best time of her life,” Bethany said. “I am so lucky she was able to go and so honored to watch her have so much fun.”
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