Make-A-Wish Foundation Helps Dream Come True for Ramona Boy
By Tiffany Watkins

Weston Crowe, 12, touring the Virgin Islands. Photos Courtesy of Jackie and Jennifer Crowe

Make-A-Wish Foundation granted a wish to Weston Crowe and his family to go on an all-expenses paid, 10-day vacation to the Virgin Islands. Weston, 12, is battling a type of cancer called sarcoma. He had a tumor in his right kidney and the doctors at Children's Hospital removed the tumor and kidney.

"I am a gymnast," Weston said. "I do all the men's events and train five days a week."

Weston graduated from sixth grade at Mount Woodson Elementary School in June and will be starting seventh grade at Olive Peirce Middle School. Weston's mother, Jennifer Crowe, said she is grateful that Weston had finished the radiation and chemotherapy treatments by the end of August 2005 and had six months to recover before departing on the vacation from Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Weston's father, Jackie Crowe, said it was difficult for the whole family that includes his three brothers Travis, 17, Derick, 15 and Marshall, 10, to watch Weston be sick and endure treatments. He also said that the other children received less attention because their parents' focus was on Weston battling cancer. They sometimes had to rush to the hospital if he became sick.

The Crowe family in the Virgin Islands. Snorkeling was on the list of many activities.

"He is nine months post-chemo and there is no evidence of the disease," Jackie Crowe said. The family originally found out Weston had cancer in November 2004 when he was 10. The symptom that red-flagged them was blood in his urine.

"Make-A-Wish makes it so you can be treated like a VIP," Jennifer Crowe said. She added that a limousine picked the family up and took them to the airport and also brought them home from the airport. The special treatment did not end with the limo service. They were surprised with balloons in their hotel room along with champagne glasses. Jennifer Crowe said that Weston was an honored guest at the island and the family had planned activities everyday from snorkeling to participating in the limbo contest at a Caribbean Lou.

"It gave me something to look forward to," Weston said.

Weston relaxing on the beach in the Virgin Islands.

Make-A-Wish Foundation raises money by hosting events to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The fourth annual Wags for Wishes will have about 1,500 dogs competing in events such as agility, herding, flyball, lure coursing, carting, disc dogs, Jack Russell terrier events, obedience and confirmation. Pet vendors also will be at the event, and there will be a pet adoption area along with a doggie fashion show for spectators.

Wags for Wishes will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 7 to 9 at the Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, south of Via de la Valle in Del Mar. Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and under.

Parking is $8 and dogs on a leash are welcome. For more information, call

(858) 707-9474 or the Website at www.wagsforwishes.com. "We feel very blessed to have gotten through this," Jennifer Crowe said. She added that Make-A-Wish Foundation gives children something special they will never forget.