ST. LOUIS — A teenager headed to Hidden Valley Monday having no idea what big surprise was waiting for him thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
On Monday afternoon, St. Louis University High School freshman Charlie LaBarge, 14, learned that through the Make-A-Wish St. Louis chapter, he'll be heading for a week to Alaska.
It has been a dream of his ever since being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease in June 2022.
"I have rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a cancer of the eye," Charlie said.
Thankfully, a tumor attached to a nerve above Charlie's right eye was removed successfully, though it still impacts his muscle and soft tissue in that area.
Charlie had to go through six-months of chemotherapy and one month of radiation. Charlie's father, Gene LaBarge, got choked up Monday as he remembered what that period of initial diagnosis and treatment was like.
"First off he's got amazing care," Gene said as he apologized for tearing up slightly.
"He's had some surgeries to repair to allow his eye to be a little bit more open because during his treatment he really had very limited vision in that eye," Charlie's mom, Anne LaBarge, said.
Now in remission for a year, Charlie can look toward his future.
"I want to go into the field of science probably," Charlie said. "I really enjoy science and math. So, somewhere along those lines."
Spectrum sponsored the trip with Charlie's parents and four siblings through Make-A-Wish.
"This kid is just amazing," said Kevin Howard, who works for Spectrum and is treasurer of the Make-A-Wish Missouri and Kansas Board. "He has an eye on nature. He knows everything about Alaska to the 'nth' degree."
Even on a very sunny Monday, thanks to some man-made snow magic, Charlie and his family were able to go tubing on the slopes at Hidden Valley Ski Resort after hearing the incredible news from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. There was smiling and laughing the whole way down.
"We actually have data now that proves that, kids are willing to comply with treatment more, and that they're going to go see their doctors because they look forward to their wish," said Patty Senft, Regional Director of Business Development for Make-A-Wish Missouri and Kansas.
Charlie and his family leave for Alaska on June 8 and will be at the Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes on April 13 in Forest Park.
Use the link to register for the walk or click here to donate to Make-A-Wish.