Gainesville police officer holds fundraiser to send girl with cancer to Disney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Four-year-old Miah Wheeler and her family are going to Walt Disney World! It’s all thanks to the officers at the Gainesville Police Department -- namely one officer at GPD -- and the generous donations from people across Central Florida and the nation.
Miah is fighting through more than many kids her age. Ashley Green, Miah’s mother said. “It’s tough. It’s amazing how strong she is.”
Miah lives with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood. “Spending weeks on end in the hospital. Being in isolation,” Green said, describing what Miah has and continues to live through. “Trapped in a little room. It’s difficult.”
Mom Ashley's childhood friend, Gainesville Police Officer Lonnie Scott, 29, heard about Miah’s struggle. “I wanted to do something to help her out,” Scott said. So, he spread the word online, and helped raise at least $2,500. On Wednesday, he presented the family with an all-expenses paid trip to Disney.
Scott said, “It was actually fulfilling for my soul to see that many people invest to see a trip like this.”
The family will stay two nights at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, have two days at their choice of Disney’s four parks, and Miah will get to be made up as Ariel at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. Her brother, Micah, will get to transform into a pirate at Disney’s Pirate at the Pirate’s League at Disney World.
“To everyone that’s donated, I want to say thank you!” Green said. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for my family.” Scott said, “I want them to know that we always have their back, no matter who you are.”
Both Miah and Micah were presented with the ‘Hero’s Award’ at the Gainesville Police Department Wednesday afternoon.
The family tells FOX 35 they hope to take their trip this summer.