Wish to take Burks and family to Disney World
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization which grants wishes for young people with life-threatening medical conditions, is making a dream come true for local cancer survivor Natasha Burks, 18, with an all-expense-paid trip for her and family to travel to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
The group will be visiting the world famous theme park in mid-October.
Natasha was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma on Nov. 27, 2006. She began chemotherapy treatments at Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital on Dec. 13. After the chemo, Natasha underwent six weeks of radiation treatment. Her family then had to wait a tense month for the results from PET and CAT scans taken to determine her condition.
Then on July 3 of this year, the family was treated to some wonderful news ‘ Natasha was in remission.
Somewhere in the midst of all this, her family began working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill a longtime dream for Natasha, a trip to Disney World. Make-A-Wish volunteer Julia Doolittle says the organization is thrilled to be able to do this for the plucky teenager.
Doolittle was on hand Saturday, along with family members and friends, for a pizza party at McMinnville Lanes to celebrate Natasha’s successful battle with cancer and her impending journey to the Sunshine State. Pizza was a good choice, since this was also the fare when Natasha, her mom, Pam Burks Hodges, and Doolittle first got together after a treatment session at Vanderbilt.
‘I met Natasha and her mom for pizza at the Mellow Mushroom after a treatment,’ Doolittle said. ‘I introduced myself and talked to Natasha about what she wanted for her wish, and we just went from there.’
When talking about her trip, Natasha can recite all the places she plans to visit from memory.
‘I’m going to Disney World for six nights, seven days,’ Natasha said. ‘I get to go to the Epcot Center, Treasure Island, Animal Kingdom, Sea World, Universal Studios and MGM Studios.’
Natasha explained why she chose Disney World over all the other places she could have visited.
‘I’ve always loved it,’ Natasha said. ‘I’ve always wanted to go, but just never got the chance. It was just a wish I had. I can’t wait.’
Natasha got another surprise from a special Make-A-Wish bag presented to her at the party. Taking into account she is a big Rascal Flatts fan, the organization managed to get an autographed CD, book and T-shirt from the popular country music group.
Making the trip with Natasha will be her mom, cousin Sandra McCormick, and stepfather Tony Hodges.
Natasha looks like any healthy 18-year-old, and says she is thrilled her treatment has gone so well.
‘I’ve been put in remission,’ she said, ‘and hopefully I’ll stay. I go back every three months for a checkup, and that will be for a year or two, then after that, it will be every six months or once a year. I work at Cato now, and I’m doing pretty good.’
Mom Pam says Natasha’s remission has been a blessing.
‘When we heard about her being in remission we cried and we laughed and we cried and we called everybody that we could think of,’ Pam said. ‘It’s a wonderful thing. And we want to thank Make-A-Wish for making it possible to grant her wish. She’s a strong and brave girl. Her motto is ‘live, love, laugh.’ I’m so proud of her.’
Ronnie Robinson, who helped raise Natasha after her birth father, Terry Burks, passed away, was also thrilled with the news and had some praise for Vanderbilt.
‘Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital is the best,’ Robinson said. ‘Everyone did such a great job, her doctors, the hospital staff, we want to thank everyone, and especially Make-A-Wish, for what they’ve done for Natasha.’