Stony Plain girl gives back to those who helped make her dream come true

EDMONTON- A young Stony Plain girl is giving back to those who helped make her dream come true.

In October, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted nine-year-old Chayse Richard’s wish to go to Disney World.

“It was incredible. It was such an amazing experience,” Chayse’s mother Stacey Richard explained. “I think the make-a-wish trip for us was being very blessed among being unblessed.”

Chayse has a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on her skin, eyes, heart and other parts of her body.

“In the condition that she has, it’s very much almost like a waiting game. It’s degenerative and it’s progressive so you know what’s coming, but you don’t know when it’s going to come,” said Stacey. “It’s a lonely place. It’s very lonely and there’s not a lot of people that really understand what it’s like to have your schedule full of stuff that’s unpleasant and knowing that even when it’s not full it’s going to be.”

Stacey says the trip to Disney World was a great way for her family to make memories together.

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As a way to show her appreciation for those who granter her wish, Chayse raised $4,400 for the foundation in just one week.

“She was really motivated to help other children have a week like she experienced, where it’s a total pause from reality and a break from everything and getting swept away to have a week of restoration,” said Stacey.

On Friday, Chayse and the woman who organized her wish also donated their hair to charity.

“These kids are amazing. They go through so much,” said Aissa Briones, a wish granting coordinator with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “These kids are so strong and for me to lose my hair is nothing compared to what they go through.”

It was all part of the annual Hair Massacure which raises funds for three charities that support children with life threatening illnesses.

A few members of the Edmonton Oilers also shaved their heads in support of the Hair Massacure. Nail Yakupov, Justin Schultz, Jeff Petry, Mark Fistric and Teemu Hartikainen took part in the event.

The Hair Massacure started in 2003 with just 42 participants who raised $37,000. Over the past 10 years the event has raised approximately $6.1 million.

With files from Laurel Clark.

Follow @caleyramsay//