Cancer cast aside on fun day
CHILDREN affected by cancer had a whale of a time with their families yesterday on Ovation of the Seas, in an annual day of activities organised by the cruise line and Camp Quality.
About 20 children and their families participated in activities including rock climbing, swimming, and a turn on the North Star gondola, which takes passengers 92m above sea level and gives them panoramic views of the ocean.
The ship played host to the children in the morning and early afternoon at Port Otago yesterday, before departing about 4.30pm.
Camp Quality regional manager Kevin Seales said the charity offered activities for children nationwide who had or had recovered from cancer,as well as their siblings.
‘‘Some are cured, some are not,’’ he said.
The philosophy of the camp was ‘‘fun, hope and happiness’’, so the cruise ship activities tied in well, Mr Seales said.
Among the visitors to the cruise ship was Dunedin girl Darcie Willis (6).
Her mother, Cheryl, said Darcie was diagnosed with the ‘‘aggressive cancer’’ Burkitt’s lymphoma nearly three years ago, and it had been in remission for two and ahalf years.
For six months she had stayed with her daughter in Christchurch while she underwent extensive chemotherapy, her other children remaining in Dunedin.
Darcie, who made her way quickly up the ship’s climbing wall, had ‘‘quite a fighting spirit’’, Mrs Willis said.
Darcie was on board the ship with her brothers, and said she liked how big the cruise ship was, and the view of the water.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd New Zealand general manager Mark Kinchley, who took parents on a tour of the boat, said the cruise line was all about family cruises, and it was ‘‘a day where we could give back’’.
‘‘They are so brave, they are so courageous and they give us strength.’’