Dear Make-A-Wish and our sponsor Advantage Oil and Gas,

July 8, 2008 was the day that changed our lives forever. Lydia was only 7 months old when we took her to see her pediatrician because she was not feeling well. We were then sent directly to Alberta Childrens Hospital and in less than 2 hours we were told the devastating news that she had a brain tumor. We met with neurosurgeon and he told us his plan to do surgery the following day.

Lydia was transferred to PICU immediately and I recall the doctors asking: "Do you want to sleep with her?" We all knew that the outcome of this situation was so very uncertain. This was only the start of Lydia's battle. In less than a week we received news it was a very rare brain cancer - Choroid Plexus Carcinoma. The fight for her life was on and she endured 7 surgeries - with 3 of those being brain surgery - and 7 rounds of chemotherapy. We spent well over a year in and out of the hospital (still frequent visitors there) and through this all was Lydia's best cheerleader her twin sister, Veronica!

The bond between these 2 sisters is something you read about only in books. When Lydia was too ill from the treatments it was Veronica's visits that would convince her to eat, play and put a smile on Lydia's face.

Our life as family was now defined by the cancer; taking turns being at hospital; family suppers were held in hospital rooms and the hospital cafeteria; there was no such things as outings and sleeping at home.

Lydia's Make- A-Wish trip was fantastic! From the moment the girls stepped onto the WestJet flight to Oahu their faces were all smiles.

When we arrived at Hyatt Regency Waikiki hotel it was sunset, a little cool and some light rain showers. The girls couldn't get in their swimsuits fast enough to go the beach. To watch Lydia run into the ocean (when only a few months before she was using a walker) alongside her sister and get splashed by the ocean wave to then watching them laughing and laughing is a moment as parents we have never felt before.

To breathe, smile, and laugh together as a family is what Make-A-Wish gave us. A chance to set aside all of stress, worries and doubts about life and just be in the moment - a moment of happiness.

The girls called the beach "hotel Hawaii beach" and "we share it", to swimming with the dolphins, eating at restaurants, Lydia dancing and singing in the warm Hawaiian rain it all was about enjoyment and making happy memories! Every staff member at the Hyatt hotel, every volunteer at our planned outings went above and beyond to make this most amazing trip.

It is hard to find the appropriate words to define how thankful we are to have Lydia's wish granted. To have an organization and a group of strangers recognize the need for children to have a chance at being a child and breathing life’s happiness. Battling cancer means life’s moments are just that battling moments, Lydia's Make-A-Wish trip was about being in the moment and for that we are most grateful!

Thank-you Make-A-Wish and to everyone at Advantage Oil & Gas in helping to make Lydia's wish come true.

Lydia, Veronica, Angela and Malcolm

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