A three-year-old New Brunswick girl is about to realize her dream of hitting the open road with her family on a series of unforgettable summer camping trips after a long and difficult battle with cancer.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed up with local businesses to provide Zoe Morse and her family with a camper van packed with toys. She and her five-year-old sister Georgia are thrilled by the prospect of camping whenever and wherever they want.
“I think it all stemmed from Peppa Pig, the TV show,” Zoe’s father Scott told CTV Atlantic on Saturday. “They go for family vacations in a camper van, so the kids always watch the show, and they’ve been talking about a camper van.”
Zoe was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015. Her mother Jo says she has seen her daughter go through more treatments than she can count.
“She's had a lumbar puncture, she's had chemo, IV, surgery, pills, and dental appointments,” said Jo Morse. "We’re finally getting close to the end. She's been doing very well.”
Scott says the family is eager to leave the IV bags and pills behind on future camping trips. Zoe is expected to finish her treatment on Aug. 17.
“After then we don’t have to be so concerned about her immunity and getting sick and stuff like that. We’re really looking forward to it,” Scott said.
Zoe’s wish is one of 13 that will be granted in New Brunswick this year, according to the foundation. The Morse family had the distinction of receiving Zoe’s wish on World Wish Day.
“I just think it’s one of those things that help the kids and the families just kind of forget for a little while about everything that’s going, or even some of the stuff that has happened in the past,” said Scott.
With a report from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore
