News

Actions

2-year-old Norfolk girl with brain cancer gets red carpet treatment, backyard surprise

Posted at 10:51 PM, Apr 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-24 09:46:25-04

NORFOLK, Va. - Rolling out the red carpet was exactly the kind of treatment a two-year-old Norfolk girl needed on Saturday.

Skye Askew's days are usually filled with different types of treatments, like chemotherapy sessions and doctor's appointments. On Saturday however, Skye's day was filled with a different surprise: a new playground just for her, in her own backyard.

"It's been amazing," said Skye's mother, Destiny Lopez. "Today has been a true blessing."

The new playset was sponsored by Towne Bank and Roc Solid's "Play It Forward" initiative, an organization focused on building hope for families facing pediatric cancer.

"I've had a blast," said Towne Bank Chief Operating Officer, Brad Schqartz. "I think everybody here would agree. We've had a lot of fun. We've been here since 8:30 this morning."

In order to surprise Skye, organizers picked her up in a limo and took her to breakfast. When she got back home, organizers literally rolled out the red carpet and brought Skye to her backyard where the new playset was standing.

"The breakfast, the Build-A-Bear: everything has just been awesome," said Lopez.

Skye was diagnosed with cancer when she was only 14 months old.

"She was diagnosed with brain cancer," said Lopez, starting to tear up. "Big softball tumor, basically in her brain."

Thankfully, Lopez says Skye is in remission.

"She finished her 100th day on March 19th, and I couldn't ask for nothing [sic] better. She has been like a normal kid," Lopez told reporters.

Even though Skye is in remission, it does not mean the hard work for her is quite over. Which is why Skye's family was thankful for the playset in their own backyard.

A safe place for Skye to play, and a safe place to take her mind off cancer.