Cancer Sufferer's Wish Granted

A six-year-old cancer sufferer from Whitstable, has had his wish to swim with dolphins granted by Starlight Children's Foundation, the UK’s leading wish granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses

Francesco Bede-Cox was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2007 and has had to have an intensive and lengthy course of treatment to try to fight the disease.

Francesco, whose family describe him as very positive, full of energy and very brave, enjoys sports including rugby, football, and basketball and loves superheroes and Star Wars. He was referred to Starlight for a one-in-a-lifetime experience while undergoing treatment.

At first he wanted to take a ride in a helicopter over a volcano, but he then asked whether he could go swimming with dolphins and the charity arranged for him to travel with his family to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida, which is renowned for the special experiences with dolphins that it offers.  

Francesco’s mum Marisa said, “I have learnt many lessons from the frightening experience of his illness but Francesco is only little and I can’t see what he could learn in such a hard way. 

"Having this wish granted means that Francesco has at least one pleasant memory out of such a terrifying situation and we want to thank Starlight very much for doing this for us."

Starlight grants a once-in-a-lifetime wish for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.