A five-year-old Dartmouth boy’s dream came true Thursday when he had a toy shopping spree thanks to the Children’s Wish Foundation.
In March 2013, just after his third birthday, Leeland Hill was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive cancerous tumor.
“He had a five cm tumor right on the base of his brain,” says Leeland’s grandfather Rod McQueen.
Four days before the diagnosis he began showing symptoms like severe headaches, nausea, and loss of balance.
“We took him in on March 25, 2013,” says Leeland’s mother Denise Hill. “They told us, had we not taken him in, he would not have seen March 26.”
Leeland underwent a 10 hour operation at the IWK and the tumor was removed. However, he still struggled until last Christmas.
“On Christmas Eve, two years after he was diagnosed, he started walking all on his own again,” says McQueen.
Although Leeland doesn't realize it now, that was the best day of his young life, but the toy shopping spree makes today a close second.
Leeland’s first wish was for a trip to Disney World, but family health issues prevented it from coming true. His backup choice was to hit up the toy stores and his mother says he was so excited to go shopping that he was up at four o'clock in the morning asking if they could go now.
Leeland’s wish was granted thanks to the help of his friend Cathy Robinson.
Robinson’s office overlooks Leeland’s back yard and every now and again he drops into her office to pay her a visit.
“He's very outgoing, very friendly, he's got a wonderful smile,” says Robinson. “How can you not love a little child who's so kind and considerate.”
Robinson approached the Children's Wish Foundation about getting a wish for Leeland and he met the criteria.
“Any child three to 17, a Canadian resident, and any child diagnosed with a life threatening illness,” says Jackob Rafuse, of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Leeland had $5,000 to spend on any toy he wanted and his first stop was the Walmart in Dartmouth Crossing.
Despite the big budget, Leeland seemed happiest with one of the most inexpensive toys, Playdough, something his mom doesn’t usually allow.
“He smears it on my carpet, so he doesn't get it, doesn't get Playdough at home,” says Hill. “He’s having so much fun, he really is, going all over the place.”
Besides his mom, Leeland’s grandparents were there to help him pick out the best toys.
“I'm his papa and I'm his best friend and he's my best friend,” says McQueen.
Shortly after noon, the cashiers rang in the total, $3,744. Leeland will get to spend the remaining $1,266 anytime he wants.
Leeland is feeling healthy and his prognosis is good, so he’ll soon be making another shopping list.
With files from CTV Atlantic's RIck Grant
