KEY POINTS:
Henry Coad has undergone surgery and had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He travelled to the Starship from his Whakatane home once every three weeks for nine months.
He spent his birthday and last Christmas in hospital.
But nothing can suppress his spirit - particularly as Make-A-Wish New Zealand has just given him a new Blokart from Blokart International in Papamoa.
The 15-year-old is the latest recipient of a Make-A-Wish gift - and he can't wipe the smile off his face.
Racing around the track at Blokart International this week, he was smiling and laughing as if he didn't have a trouble in the world.
"They cut me off!" he yelled to his friend and then erupted into a fit of giggles.
Henry has rhabdomyosarcoma - a life-threatening type of cancer. He was diagnosed a year ago and has spent countless days in hospital since.
His mother, Mary Vosper, said he fully deserved the $4000 gift. "He never once complained," she said. "I'm chuffed, absolutely chuffed. It was so generous."
Henry grew up in Te Puke, where he spent his early school years at Fairhaven Primary.
Unlike most Make-A-Wish recipients, he picked an adventurous gift.
Blokart International sales and marketing manager Ash Rawson said he was impressed by Henry's choice.
"What an unusual wish - it's normally PlayStations and home theatres and room makeovers, because they're generally stuck at home," Mr Rawson said.
But Henry had no doubt about what he wanted - he had plenty of time to decide.
"I thought about this for 12 months. I thought, 'If you get a wish, just go for gold'. My second wish was a 125cc Honda dirt bike," he laughed. "As long as it goes fast, I'm happy."
Henry plans to use his new Blokart on Ohope Beach near his home and is looking forward to his latest adventure.
Make-A-Wish New Zealand is a charitable trust formed to grant wishes to young people aged between 3 and 18 who have a life-threatening illness.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
