For an Arkansas teenager, a newly granted trip to Europe next week was more good news after she was told by her doctor last month that her cancer is in remission.
Kaden Peebles, 18, of Nashville and members of her family will start in London, venture to Paris and end in Rome as part of the 11-day trip.
“I’m excited about Rome because it has so much history, and London is iconic. Everyone talks about London and how awesome it is. And I’m also excited about Paris because I actually have a friend who lives in Paris,” she said, calling the trip a learning experience.
The vacation, set to begin May 26, was a Make-A-Wish project months in the making, with financial support from an annual Arkansas Highway Police fundraiser.
It comes after Peebles accomplished another feat earlier this month: graduating high school.
At the Arkansas Highway Police office Wednesday, Make-A-Wish volunteers surprised Peebles, who thought she was coming to speak with the chief after her mother received a letter about littering, with the European trip.
The room was filled with icons of European culture — miniature Eiffel Towers adorned tables that were flanked by portraits of popular landmarks.
Peebles was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer found in children and young adults, in early 2015.
A year of treatment that included 17 rounds of chemotherapy and 32 days of radiation came to an end in April, Peebles said.
“I am now cancer-free,” she said to applause and cheers from friends, family and law enforcement officers.
Peebles’ mother, Michelle Peebles, said she had kept the Europe trip a secret for months from her daughter as Make-A-Wish volunteers and a travel agent worked to make the wish a reality.
The timing of the vacation, she said, could not be more perfect.
“[Kaden] has been out of treatment, and where she is at today is so much better than just a month ago,” Michelle Peebles said. “She continues to do better as her body recovers.”
Maj. Jay Thompson with Arkansas Highway Police said his agency’s involvement with Make-A-Wish falls in line with the oath law enforcement officers take to serve and protect the community.
“It just lets you know all your hard work pays off,” he said of Wednesday’s wish granting. “If it doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, something is wrong. She went through a lot more than most people have, and we’re happy that she’s in remission.”
Highway police have partnered with Make-A-Wish for five years and have been able to raise enough money to grant several wishes through the Cops on Bulls fundraiser, Thompson said.
Amy Westlake, development coordinator for Make-A-Wish Mid-South, said a portion of the money raised during last year’s Cops on Bulls fundraiser, an estimated $30,000, went toward Peebles’ wish.