My daughter Reagan has been battling cancer for more than half of her thirteen short years of life. That is something no child should ever have to do! Reagan was diagnosed at age six with Wilm’s tumor cancer and after battling it fiercely for more than a year, we thought she had it beat. Unfortunately, when Reagan was eight years old, cancer reared its ugly head once again. Another year of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and an endless number of doctor’s appointments, we thought she had conquered this disease for good. But then at age eleven, we discovered another tumor, which meant another year of battling. Finally in January of 2015, we were told Reagan was “healed” and had finally beaten the beast known as cancer! Praise God! Our joy and jubilation was short-lived, however. In February, our world was turned upside down as we found ourselves back in the emergency room, and suddenly our worst fear was upon us again, “Another tumor, the cancer is back.” This time it was way worse and we were losing confidence in the chemotherapy treatments she had been receiving. Reagan will receive an experimental regime of treatment, in an effort to beat it this time, but we don’t know if it will work. We just have to wait and see. Needless to say, this is not what Reagan or her mom, dad and big brothers wanted to hear. Reagan has always loved Taylor Swift and for her birthday in December last year we got her tickets to go to a concert. Unfortunately, she had to miss that concert because her cancer came back at the end of February and we spent the next six weeks in Houston at MD Anderson (always flying Southwest, by the way). It was hard for Reagan to miss that concert, but we wanted to try again. Which brings us to the amazing weekend of October 23, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia. Reagan’s godmother purchased tickets for her and her two best friends to go see Taylor Swift in Atlanta. Her big brothers decided we had to come up with a way for her to get a meet and greet with Taylor, which we soon found out is not an easy task. Our family, friends and community went crazy on social media pulling every string and possible contact to make this happen for our girl. One of those great friends and hometown girl, Denae West made contact with Adam at Southwest Airlines. Adam and Southwest went above and beyond to make this wish of Reagan’s a reality. Here is just a few of the amazing surprises and ways Southwest went all out for a girl who just wanted a break away from cancer for a weekend:
- We arrived at the airport in Albuquerque on Thursday evening and as we were checking our bags all the Southwest Employees started clapping and cheering for Reagan and presented her with a gift basket.
- We went to our gate where the boarding Agents got on the microphone and introduced Reagan and brought us to the front of the line to be first to board.
- When we arrived in Atlanta at 11 p.m., we were asked to stay on the plane until everyone else left. As we came down the tunnel, Taylor Swift music was blaring through the airport as we were greeted by Allison and other Southwest Employees who presented Reagan with a HUGE welcome and balloon bouquet.
- Allison then escorted us all the way through the terminal to the lobby where we were met by some of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders.
On Friday, Adam called us again and told us that he wanted Reagan and crew to come to a meet and greet and concert for Vance Joy (one of the opening acts for Taylor Swift). The girls and I were given VIP passes and front row seats to the concert at the Southwest Sound Stage, which was amazing. Southwest also surprised us with tickets to the Atlanta Aquarium, which was amazing as well.
As Reagan’s mom, I cannot find the words to express how much I appreciate all that Southwest Airlines did for us. Reagan, myself and all of her friends are family are so thankful for everything their wonderful employees did to make this an unbelievable and most memorable weekend. The Kenyon family will forever be Southwest Airlines Customers!
Oh, and Reagan DID get a meet and greet with Taylor Swift, after all! All we can say about this great weekend is WOW!