MIDDLETOWN — Jim and Holly Phelps wanted to do something special for their son Jake to celebrate his one year of being cancer-free.
The opportunity came in the mail, with an invitation from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to join other cancer patients for free, tethered, hot-air balloon rides during the MidFirst Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival at Smith Park in Middletown.
Jake, 13, and his family were among 50 children and family members who rode for free, Saturday, July 18.
The rides were provided by Floating Smiles, a nonprofit group organized to give young cancer patients a ride they won’t soon forget.
“It was weird,” Jim Phelps said, because the Ross Twp. family already had discussed a hot-air balloon ride before the invitation arrived.
“It just seemed like another blessing,” Holly Phelps said as her family waited in line, watching an occupied balloon rise about 50 feet in the air. “You think something so horrible, you wouldn’t get so much positive out of it.”
Andy Rich didn’t waste any time and was the first among the invited guests to ride the balloon.
The 16-year-old Kentucky resident, whose right leg was amputated because of bone cancer, used crutches to board the handicapped-accessible balloon basket with his parents and other family members.
Back on land, everyone was all smiles as Andy said the ride was great, especially being able to see the whole carnival.
Ron Rich, Andy’s dad, said his son completed about a year of chemotherapy, but the cancer has returned to his leg and has moved into his lungs.
“Right now, it’s up to God. They’ve tried everything they can,” he said.
For many of the children, who get accustomed to the routine of hospital stays, the balloon rides were an adventure, said Wanda Meriwether, a hospital social worker.
“For many, they are done with treatment and this is a time to celebrate,” she said. “This has been truly amazing for them.”
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