Lodge helps families affected by cancer to reconnect

CANTON, N.Y. (WWNY) - The Lodge at Dreaming Tree Ranch is open for business. It’s the flagship project of the Help Sami Kick Cancer Foundation in Canton.

Santa Claus came early this year. He rode in Thursday to a special place: The Lodge at Dreaming Tree Ranch. Meghan Hall and her two children, Brooklyn and Logan, arrived there Monday.

“They had no idea what to expect and since we got here, the second we walked up the steps, we just felt like we were suppose to be here,” said Meghan.

This could be 5-year-old Brooklyn's last Christmas. Just before last Christmas, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her mother wants this week to be a celebration of life.

“We've been doing crafts. We've been baking. Decorating cupcakes. And we went on a horse drawn carriage ride through the most magical snowfall I've ever seen,” said Meghan.

And that was all before Santa's arrival. Brooklyn knew ahead just what she would get if she was good.

“He would give me a white teddy bear,” said Brooklyn.

And then the big guy arrives in style. He has a teddy bear and a lot more for Brooklyn and her brother, Logan. The Lodge is a project of the Help Sami Kick Cancer Foundation. It was inspired by Sami Curtis of Canton, who died of cancer four years ago at age 18.

“Everything is … it's just, it's been magical for us. Like I said it's very healing for us to host these guys,” said Karen Curtis, mother of Sami Curtis.

So many people made this day possible. First of all, the Curtis Family. And the Help Sami Kick Cancer Foundation. And the thousands of people throughout the Canton community who have given to this effort through the years.

There’s a Help Sami Kick Cancer website if you want to know more. It has all kinds of information on the foundation, The Lodge, and how you can help.

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