Six-year-old Van Morris Jr. was gifted Monday at his school with his long-awaited trip to Disney World in Florida. The Eskasoni Immersion School student has spent close to half his life fighting cancer and is now in remission. The Disney World trip is thanks to the Make-A-Wish Canada Foundation. From left are his family: brother Keefe, brother Drew, dad Van Sr., Van Jr., and his mom, Tiffany Gould. His sister Kirsten couldn’t attend as she was in classes at Cape Breton University. Photo by SAM GASCOYNE /ESKASONI SCHOOL BOARDArticle contentHe’s only six years-old, but Van Morris Jr. has been through more than most children his age.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentHopefully, a trip to Disney World next month can heal some emotional wounds for the whole family and brighten Van’s days.Article contentArticle contentThe Grade 1 student at the Eskasoni Immersion School (Essissoqnikewey Siawa’sik-L’nuey Kina’matinewo’kuo’m) stood on a stage in front of family and classmates Monday with the happiest grin on his face a child could have. He stood in front of a sign that trumpeted “We’re so happy for you Van” in the Mi’kmaw language as his wish was about to come true thanks to the Make-A- Wish Foundation.Article contentVan was diagnosed at 13 months with acute b-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. The blood disease is the most common form of childhood leukemia (although it can affect adults over the age of 50).Article contentHis parents, Tiffany Gould and Van Morris Sr., said it was a very difficult time for the family.Article content Full of energy and ready to go to Disney World next month for a week is Van Morris Jr., who is in remission from b cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Diagnosed at only 13 months old, the Eskasoni boy says he can’t wait to give Mickey Mouse “a big, fat hug” when he sees him in Florida. The words on the banner behind Van are from his teachers and classmates and say: “We are very happy for you Van” in Mi’kmaq. Photo by SAM GASCOYNE /ESKASONI SCHOOL BOARDArticle contentGould says little Van’s immune system was compromised during his illness and treatment. He ended up having many illnesses during his treatment and spent a lot of time in hospital.Article contentNow in remission, he is going to the IWK Health Centre next week for his latest checkup.Article contentWish-granter Eileen Bruleigh, a volunteer with Make-A-Wish, was at the school to make the presentation.Article contentArticle contentShe said that Make-A-Wish Canada granted 1,853 wishes to youngsters last year in Canada and 58 of those were in Nova Scotia.Article contentArticle content“Our mandate is to help the child and family,” said Bruleigh. “Our research has shown that sending them or gifting them something they want has a positive effect on their health outcome.Article content“Disney World is a very popular choice for the kids.”Article content Make-A-Wish volunteer Eileen Bruleigh of Sydney River was the “wish granter” who attended a special ceremony this week at the Eskasoni Immersion School to gift six-year-old Van Morris Jr. with a trip to Disney World. Bruleigh says her work with the organization is very rewarding, and she gets as excited as the young people do. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /SUPPLIEDArticle content‘WE GET AS EXCITED AS THEY DO’Article contentBruleigh says being part of the granting of wishes has been a very rewarding thing for her and her husband to do.Article content“We get as excited as they do,” she said.Article contentThe couple became involved with Make-A-Wish when their own daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 19.Article contentHer daughter successfully fought her cancer, even though she had to drop out of physiotherapy studies at Cape Breton University while she received treatment.Article content“It was a very traumatic time,” Bruleigh said.Article contentHer daughter returned to school but switched her studies to chemo nursing. Now, she works with the lung screening program in Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone.
Wish granted: Cape Breton boy excited for Disney World trip after long health struggle
