Parade a wish come true

When five-year-old Hunter Row got jaundice in April, his parents took him to the doctor to find out what was wrong.

His father Darren said the doctors knew it was a problem with his blood or bone marrow, but weren't sure exactly what the problem was.

"They just had no idea."

Hunter's mother, Denise Carroll, said they found out five days later it was leukemia.

"We never expected leukemia."

Saturday about 60 people gathered in Newcastle on a cold morning to walk in the Children's Wish Foundation Wishmaker parade in support of Hunter and his family.

The Miramichi Police Force Corvette lead the parade from the fire hall on Jane Street in a loop through Newcastle.

Hunter rode ahead of the crowd, high above the street in a fire truck with his father and one of the players from the Timberwolves hockey team.

Balloons blew in the wind, scattered around the crowd broken up by the white Timberwolves jerseys.

Lois Oldfield was one of the last people in line as the parade made its way around the waterfront.

Oldfield said she has been involved in the parade for about eight years through the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers.

"I wanted to help," she said.

It was great to see the community support the event because it wasn't just about the people who walked in it or the parade, she said.

"It's about the children."

When the parade reached the fire hall, Hunter climbed out of the fire truck and was soon in the Corvette for another ride.

Balloons waved in front of his face and the hood from his dragon costume fell down over his eyes as someone buckled him in.

When he got back, Hunter said the best part of the day was when he got to turn on the sirens.

"Cool."

His mother said they contacted the wish foundation in May or June after staff at the IWK hospital in Halifax suggested it, but even though they will grant him a wish, Hunter hasn't decided what he wants yet.

"He's a pretty easy child to please."

They didn't think the wish foundation would grant him a wish because his leukemia has a high cure rate, around 90 per cent, she said.

"He deserves it because he's gone through a lot for a five-year-old."

Carroll said he has three years and two months of treatment left and still has time to decide what he wants for a wish. "He's mentioned Disney World."

Joanne Stewart, one of the volunteers who helped organize the parade, said there didn't seem to be as many people at this year's event as in the past.

"Usually there's a lot more people."

This year they raised $19,441 for the Children's Wish Foundation through various fundraisers.

The children's eyes light up when they know they are getting a wish, she said. "I really like that."

She said she volunteers with the foundation because she is thankful her children are healthy.

"That's why I do it."