Little battlers off on US trip

Darcy Wilson was 6 when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Two Northland boys who have overcome life-threatening illnesses are being treated to a two-week trip to California.

Darcy Wilson, 10, of Waipapa, and Caleb Murphy, 13, of Kamo, have been selected for a Koru Care trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and other Golden State highlights. They leave on October 24.

Darcy was 6 when diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a child cancer that starts in the adrenal glands and spreads through the nervous system. Over 15 months, he had chemotherapy, surgery, a stem-cell transplant, radiotherapy and an immunotherapy drug trial.

His mother, Mandy Wilson, said lasting effects included hearing loss and reduced lung function, "but he's all clear now ... and doing everything a 10-year-old boy does, like soccer and swimming".

Darcy has been back at Kerikeri Primary School full-time for 18 months. He has been overseas before - his mother having promised a family trip to Fiji while he was still ill.

"I don't think he really comprehends it yet. But he's starting to get excited and he's teasing his brother and sister about it," Mrs Wilson said.

Caleb, who was born with a rare heart disorder, needed to undergo major surgery when aged just 9 months.

His mother, Leanne Clark, said he became tired and sick more easily than others, but was a normal 13-year-old boy who loved sport and Xbox. The furthest he had travelled was Hawke's Bay.

"He's over the moon, he's so excited," she said.

Caleb Murphy is one of 26 Kiwi kids heading to Disneyland. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The Whangarei Intermediate pupil has been visiting local businesses to raise money for Koru Care. Among the donated items he plans to raffle include signed merchandise from rally driver Hayden Paddon.

In total, 26 Kiwi kids aged 8-14 will go on the trip. They were nominated by groups such as Heart Children, Kidney Kids and Child Cancer, as well as word of mouth.

They will be accompanied by 13 caregivers, a head nurse and a leader.

Air New Zealand is paying for the children's flights while Koru Care covers all other costs. Families are asked to help with fundraising if they can.

-Both families have Givealittle pages. Go to givealittle.co.nz and search for "doingitfordarcy" or "Caleb's Dream Californian Adventure".