16-year-old South Arkansas boy battling cancer receives wish of a new ATV

1 year ago 18

CAMDEN, Ark. (KTVE/KARD)--Landon Thurman is a 16-year-old boy from Warren who was diagnosed with cancer on August 4, 2021. Although he's been battling the illness for nearly two years, he knew his one wish would be to receive his own ATV.

Landon thought he was traveling to RATS Entertainment Park in Camden to be a part of a commercial for the park, but was surprised when his new ATV appeared.

"I have always wanted something like this… It's exactly what I wanted," Thurman explained.

When children are battling a critical illness, so much of normal childhood can be stripped away from them and can be exhausting both mentally and physically. A wish is something that gives kids the opportunity to look outside their illness — it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family.

It is the best feeling any of us could possibly have. They get this one opportunity to have a day about them and to feel like a kid."

Krissy Bassetti, volunteer with Make-A-Wish Mid-South

This wish wouldn't be possible without support from surrounding businesses: