Country Road RV is helping to make dreams come true.
A Red Deer family were the recipients of a tow-behind camper trailer last week that was donated through a partnership with the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
Paige Airriess, whose three-year-old son Lincoln is in remission from cancer, said her family looks forward to finally having an opportunity to forge some pleasant experiences following a couple of arduous years of treatment including chemotherapy.
“We are so excited,” she said during a phone interview, expressing gratitude to be granted the opportunity.
“We’ve spent a lot of time in the hospital — we’re looking forward to making new, good memories.”
After turning a year old, Lincoln, who had never even caught a cold, and barely a week before received a clean bill of health following a checkup, awoke the night of his birthday feeling so hot that his mom feared a possible ear infection.
So she brought him to the hospital in Lacombe, where the family used to live, and a doctor detected a large lump in Lincoln’s stomach, prompting an emergency ultrasound that identified a substantial mass.
Additional tests were done the next day and within a week he had already undergone his first surgery to remove the mass. Portions of surrounding organs that were touching the growth were also taken out to reduce the chances of the mass spreading again, she said.
After recovering from that operation, Lincoln underwent a followup surgery to have an implantable venous access device installed to help facilitate chemotherapy treatments without having to resort to using needles every time a dose was administered. Then began the course of chemotherapy and Lincoln’s health has vastly improved since the treatment ended, she said.
“He’ll be in remission for three years in September,” she said, adding he will be deemed cancer-free after five years.
The family — including her husband Nathan and their 10-month-old son Solomon — moved to Red Deer to reduce time spent commuting to and from appointments and treatments as well as to make the Aspire Special Needs Resources Centre that Lincoln has been attending since September, more accessible to them. Lincoln largely lost his hearing undergoing treatment and has been working with speech specialists to develop his ability to communicate, she said.
Lincoln will be turning four on Canada Day and the family can’t wait to venture out in their new RV. Among their planned destinations is a trip to Ram Falls near Nordegg, she said.
“We’ve only been there one time.”
That was just a few weeks before Lincoln was originally diagnosed and she said they are excited for the chance to return. Since he is not very verbal, his parents made the wish on his behalf in the knowledge that Lincoln loves the outdoors, and Airriess said the Children’s Wish Foundation has been wonderful.
“They share their excitement with you, which makes it even more exciting.”
Sarah Bragg, wish coordinator for Alberta and Northwest Territories, said the foundation first established a relationship with Country Road RV a couple of years ago.
“They were just so amazing that we just felt it was necessary for us to develop a partnership with them. They take really great care of our wish families,” said Bragg.
“Country Road goes a long (ways) to try to find our families perfect trailers within our budget.”
Wish families get a chance to look for an RV that meets their needs. Due to funding limitations, the foundation makes available about $12,000 to cover the cost and some families contribute a little more, she said.
While that might not necessarily allow the purchase of a huge brand new unit, the foundation has experienced great success with the reconditioned market, she said.
“We try our best to meet the family’s need.”
Due to the nature of the foundation’s work, the organization tends to meet families during a difficult time in their lives, and Bragg said being able to bring them some happiness is a blessing.
“Most of us can’t imagine the anguish they go through. To be able to help them experience joy as a family is really important work.”
Trips to Disneyland or Disney World as well as African safaris are often among the top wish requests. However, some families prefer a lower stress adventure in an RV exploring nature not just for a week but for a lifetime, she said, adding a positive mental outlook helps to promote recovery.
“We now know the physical benefits of a wish on children that are sick. A wish and something to look forward to can improve their physical health.”
Lisa Root, Country Road RV general sales manager, said she’s glad the company is able to be a part of an effort to give back for such a good cause.
Despite his battle with cancer, Lincoln remains an upbeat lad who loves being outside riding a bike or running around exploring, said Airriess.
“Lincoln is a wild, spunky outdoor boy. Since he started walking and being able to play, he always wanted to be outside. But he does hate bugs!”
He has even wanted to try skateboarding, which his mom confessed being reluctant to allow for the time being.
“He’s fearless,” she said, adding Lincoln also adores superheroes.
“If he could wear a superhero costume every day, he would!”
