Titans tragic Vanessa Ewings has a pleasant dilemma. The 12-year-old hates missing a Titans home game but she’ll be away on Good Friday when the blockbuster clash of the year against the Broncos is played.
It’s a clash of events she is happy to have been given though. This Saturday Vanessa, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 10, leaves with her family for a cruise from Brisbane to Cairns thanks to the Titans and Make A Wish.
Titans fullback William Zillman was on hand after training on Saturday to present a Vanessa, a lovely girl with a beaming smile, her surprise prize.
The only downside is that she won’t return until the morning after the big Titans-Broncos derby but will be able to watch it on the ship. Yet it will be a trip of a lifetime – seven nights away with trips to the skyway at Katandra, Port Douglas, barrier reef snorkelling and watching crocodiles in the wild.
“Vanessa is so excited and we can’ thank enough the Titans and players in the way they have helped Vanessa out,” said mother Christine.
“When she comes to game players come around and hold her hand and really make her day.
“When she was diagnosed a week after her 10th birthday, her favourite player Matt Srama and BJ Lawrence came around and she had loved the Titans ever since.
“We’re so thankful to Make a Wish as well for all they are doing.”
Margaret Bray, from Make a Wish Australia (pictured with Zilly and Vanessa), was on hand to help Will Zillman present the prize and, like others, was taken with Vanessa’s warm personality and strength.
Vanessa, who has been in remission since June 2013, is looking forward to cruising with Christine and father Ross, both Legion members, and younger brother Harry.
An MRI scan last week cleared Vanessa to play any sport she likes so the St Michaels, Merrimac, year 7 student is ready to return to Oz Tag.
