Little girls battling illnesses become princesses for a day

WINNIPEG – Little girls transformed into princesses Sunday all for a good cause.

Sixty girls arrived to a make believe castle at the Canadian Mennonite University Sunday for a day full of fun and fantasy, playing princess for a day.

But among them were five girls who don’t always get a chance to play, battling life-threatening illnesses. Like Kate Cairns, who has cancer and undergoes daily chemotherapy.

“She had steroids this morning and antibiotics this morning, and she’ll have chemo tonight, more steroids, more antibiotics,” said Davilyn Cairns, Kate’s mother.

The girls transformed into princesses with a ball gown, sparkling tiara and jewels, and some make up.  Including three-year-old Alexus Lee who’s in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“We know her counts are good, we know she has no fever, we’re looking forward to today being a good day for her, one day at a time,” said Joanne Zhang, Alexus’s mother.

The girls took part in the event with help from the Children’s Wish Foundation, an organization Elsie Tellier believes in after getting a wish years ago as she battles cystic fibrosis.

“Anything that’s a break from all the treatment, all the hospital work, and all the doctors is just amazing. Just having the chance to have fun, especially when you’re this age, to just be a kid,” said Tellier.

“I hope we can provide a diversion for you and provide special memories you can carry on with you through the weeks, months, years, as you continue your fight,” said Stella Mazza, founder of Princess For A Day.

The Princess For A Day event is in its ninth year and raised over $3,000 Sunday for the Children’s Wish Foundation.