Taten gets his wish (3 photos)

When you are a 9-year-old who has stared down cancer, meeting a dark lord of the Sith must not seem so scary.

A young Sault Ste. Marie boy will get his chance to meet Darth Vader soon because of the generosity of the Children’s Wish Foundation when he and his family go to Disney World early next year.

Taten Hammerberg was diagnosed with osteosarcoma bone cancer in April of 2013 and his family’s life was turned upside down.

Soon after, the Children’s Wish Foundation was contacted on behalf of the family as the boy was subjected to tests, surgeries, needles, chemotherapy and the loss of his leg due to amputation.

“At that time you can’t think of anything else but your child’s survival but we wanted to give Taten something to look forward to and to take his mind off his illness,” said Taten’s mother Marnie Holditch.

She is happy to have the upcoming trip to look forward to, as Taten faces new challenges.

“We got news that the cancer was in his lungs. That was in August, and was quite a step back. We thought we were past the rough parts so right now we are just hoping it doesn’t grow and spread”.

If the cancer continues to spread Taten will be subjected to more chemotherapy, and this trip will give the family something positive to focus on.

“For the rest of our family it is about being able to exhale, with no doctor’s appointments, treatments or needles. Spending time with the whole family, having fun, relaxing and creating memories,” said Holditch.

Taten and his family were the guests of honour at the annual Children’s Wish Charity Breakfast fundraiser held at the Civic Centre, where about 150 city employees purchased tickets to dress down and eat.

As a result, about $1500 will be donated directly to the Children’s Wish Foundation.

The foundation is based in Canada and was founded in 1984 to grant wishes to children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Taten’s wish was to go to Disney World and meet Darth Vader.

Holditch said all arrangements are being made by the foundation, from the family's passports to plane tickets and spending money.

“It is a trip we wouldn’t be able to afford on our own for a family of six and he deserves it. He’s been through a lot and he deserves something fun,” she said.

Sault Ste. Marie CAO Joe Fratesi said the annual event brings city staff together.

“He’s a brave little guy who has been through a lot. He has a lot to deal with ahead of him and if we can put a smile on his face and give the family some relief from what they are dealing with by way of our donation then we feel much happier,” said Fratesi.

The food for the event was donated by Grand Gardens and drinks, dessert and Star Wars-themed presents for Taten were donated by Wal-Mart.

This allowed the city to donate all of the funds raised directly to the foundation without having to spend money on the food and drink.

“If we didn’t have partnerships like we do with Grand Gardens or with Wal-Mart the effect of our donation wouldn’t be as great. We were able to throw everything in from the sale of a ticket to the donation,” he said.

Fratesi said city staff get back much more than they give when they participate in various charitable events throughout the year.

“You get a full belly for sure, but you also get a full soul. Their eyes swell, their hearts swell as they hear the stories of the people they try to help. They get a lot out of this,” he said.

(PHOTO: Taten Hammerberg and his mother Marnie Holditch unwrap gifts as city employees attended the annual Children’s Wish Charity Breakfast at the Civic Centre on November 19, 2014. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)