Kiley Sullivan, a first-grader at Duffy Elementary School in West Hartford, received the full princess treatment before departing for Disney World, courtesy of Make-A-Wish.
Kiley Sullivan and her sister Allie board the horsedrawn carriage at Duffy Elementary School. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Six-year-old Kiley Sullivan knew that she was heading to Disney World on Saturday morning for her Make-A-Wish trip, but neither she nor her sister Allie had any idea that the organization would treat them to a send-off fit for a princess.
Kiley, a first-grader who was diagnosed with the rare childhood cancer Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma just two weeks after her fifth birthday in April 2014, was met by a horsedrawn carriage, complete with driver, footman, and a small dog, and whisked away from Duffy Elementary School Friday afternoon to begin her princess-worthy Disney adventure courtesy of Make-A-Wish.
“Kiley knows we are leaving Saturday morning,” Emily Sullivan, Kiley’s mom, said earlier in the week. They were already expecting the limo that would pick them up early Saturday morning to catch their flight. But the family had no idea that Make-A-Wish liked to make such a big deal out of the send off.
“We get a police escort and ride all the way home,” Emily Sullivan said of the horsedrawn carriage.
The cold rain that began falling on Friday afternoon did not at all dampen the reaction that Emily and Allie had when they walked out of Duffy and saw the horsedrawn carriage.
Kiley’s eyes lit up with glee when she saw the horses and the rig. Allie declared it “the best day of her life”! The entire first grade as well as Allie’s class cheered and waved as the family headed home in the horsedrawn carriage to begin their adventure.
The “princess” theme is a big part of the Sullivan’s life. Emily set up a Facebook page called “Princess Kiley” after her daughter was diagnosed with the rare cancer, and has used the page to chronicle the experience and keep friends informed.
“Kiley is doing well, and it’s amazing that she is feeling good enough to go,” Emily said of the Disney trip. Kiley has been having incessant itching in her eyes caused by her medication, but the reaction has recently been brought under control.
Kiley has finished her initial treatment for the disease but will have another set of scans on Oct. 13, after the trip. “Let’s just hope they’re clear,” she said.
For more information about Kiley’s treatment and recovery, click here to visit the “Princess Kiley” Facebook community.
Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!
Kiley and Allie Sullivan are shocked and excited to find a horsedrawn carriage waiting to pick them up outside Duffy Elementary School on Friday. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Emily Sullivan gives Kiley a hug before boarding the carriage for the ride home. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Make-A-WIsh sent a horsedrawn carriage to fetch the Sullivan family from Duffy Elementary School on Friday afternoon. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Send-off from other Duffy students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
One last smile from Kiley before the horsedrawn carriage departed Friday afternoon. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The horsedrawn carriage transports the Sullivan family home from Duffy Elementary School Friday afternoon, before their Make-A-Wish trip to Disney began on Saturday. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The look of joy on Kiley and Allie’s faces says it all! Thank you Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Gran-Carrie
For many years I have been hearing about the great things Make-A-Wish Foundation does for kids with cancer. As grandmother to Kiley – known to her as “Gran-Carrie” – I never understood fully how wonderful that organization is for kids with cancer. They have even come to the hospital to visit her – as Princesses, of course. A major challenge for these kids is to keep a positive attitude. Much of the treatment would make most people miserable – especially children. But the good work Make-A-Wish does keeps these kids smiling and feeling life is worth living. They will fight another day to survive.
Thank you for making Kiley’s day, and week in Disney World, an incredible and joyful memory!
The look of joy on Kiley and Allie’s faces says it all! Thank you Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Gran-Carrie
[…] October, Make-A-Wish gave Kiley the full princess treatment when she, Allie, and both parents were whisked away from Duffy Elementary School in a horse-drawn […]