Two Dunedin children are being treated to fun in the snow, mini-golf, jet-boating and a visit to Patagonia Chocolates, accompanied by four New Zealand actors during Cure Kids' 10th Ticket to Hope event.
Caitlin Scott and Tobias Quigley, both aged 7, and 13 other children from around New Zealand were invited for the weekend, giving them a break from hospital treatments, a result of dealing with life-threatening illnesses.
Tobias was born with a heart murmur, but he was sent home because there were no major concerns about his health.
Just a week later, his heart failed and he was flown to Starship Hospital, Auckland, for emergency surgery.
He suffered further heart problems a few months later, but they were brought under control with medication.
Tobias also lives with kidney disease. He was born with two congenital conditions and was referred to leading geneticist Stephen Robertson, who diagnosed Cantu Syndrome, a rare condition with fewer than 25 cases reported worldwide.
Since his diagnosis, Tobias had been involved in genetic studies in the Netherlands which have identified the cause of the condition.
He is now almost 8, but Tobias' heart is still monitored and he has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia several times.
He has also developed a bleeding condition, meaning he gets large hematomas when he knocks himself.
His mother, Janelle, said even though Tobias loved rugby, he was not able to play.
He did play soccer and miniball.
Caitlin, accompanied by her mother, Cheryl,, lives with asthma and venous malformations.
Initially, doctors thought she had a birthmark, as she was born with a lump on her side, but as she grew, so did the lump and it bled profusely each time she scratched it or bumped it.
Before turning 3, she endured a seven-hour surgery to remove the 2kg lump, but her future will include more doctor's appointments with several other small lumps forming under her skin.
The Cure Kids Ticket to Hope event began last night in Queenstown and ends tomorrow.
Special guests this year are Shortland St stars Robbie Magasiva, who plays Dr Maxwell Avia, and Natalie Medlock, who played nurse Jill Kingsbury, and Will Hall and Aaron Ward, of Nothing Trivial fame.
