A CT girl lost her leg to cancer. She and her family are going to Hawaii with a local company’s help

A Connecticut family got the smiles they really needed.

It’s been a rough go of it for the Newington family and 12-year old Rachel Webster. The incoming seventh grader was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer, in January of 2022. It’s been a long road for Rachel and the Websters over the last two and a half years. She had her left leg amputated above the knee to help stop the spread, her family said.

Now. with the help of the Make-A-Wish Connecticut, the Websters are heading for a vacation in Hawaii at the wish of Rachel. The wish was funded by Johnson Brunetti Retirement and Investment Specialists and there was a send off of sorts for the Websters at the office this week.

“When I was being treated for Ewing sarcoma bone cancer I was wondering if this was ever going to end,” Rachel said. “Are we ever going to go back to normal. It was just really horrible for a long time. It’s nice to get out of it and be given wish to do something that I probably would have never done with our own resources.”

Rachel was on hand with her big sister, Catherine, 16, and parents Marcy and Bill. Rachel had almost all of her care at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

Ewing sarcoma is rare. According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 200 cases in children and teens in the country per year.

“The treatment for Rachel’s bone cancer took us about 10 or 11 months of chemo,” Marcy Webster said. “In between chemo cycles she had to go through an above-the-knee leg amputation. So, this was a really long and hard journey. Following all of that we did seven weeks of proton radiation in Boston.”

“It’s been really scary, and I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Rachel said. “I didn’t know a lot about cancer. It was a surprise when I found out that I had it. When I was told I was going to lose my leg it was a whole other thing. I was really sad. I didn’t think I be able to do anything but here I am going to Hawaii. I’m learning to walk with my physical training.”

Make a Wish Director of Corporate & Community Giving Kim Smith spoke as the gift wish was given, as did Johnson Brunetti managing partner Joel Johnson, who also presented Rachel with a basket of Hawaii-themed items as the family is set to depart for Hawaii on Saturday morning.

“It’s amazing. We’ve never been anywhere tropical before. We always dreamed of going to Florida or Hawaii and we never thought we would be able to go,” Rachel said.

Rachel said she first heard about the trip a few months back when her family went to the Make-A-Wish headquarters in Trumbull.

The family has limousine service to JFK Airport and will fly to Los Angeles, or LAX, and on Sunday will fly to Hawaii.

“They have provided us with accommodations at the Sheraton Waikiki and we expect we will do a lot of swimming at the pool and go to the beach,” Marcy Webster said. “Make-A-Wish gives you two excursions and Rachel will be snorkeling at a nature preserve and doing a sunset cruise.”

Johnson Brunetti has been funding multiple wishes each year for over a decade.

“When I got up and saw this was on the calendar today, I was so excited,” Joel Johnson said. “This is one of my favorite things we do all year is making these wishes. This means more than all the success in the business to be able to help someone out that has gone through such a tough time. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through and how scary it is for the kids. To great a wish like that and send a family to Hawaii – they are going to have a great time and I can’t wait to hear about it.”

Smith said the Make-A-Wish corporate sponsors are critical as the average cost of wishes are about $10,000 apiece and Make-A-Wish Connecticut is still backed up by 350 wishes dating back to the pandemic. Smith said she is inspired when she meets with Wish kids.

“When I put my head on the pillow, I just think about these Wish kids and the bravery and strength and positivity they have makes me a better person. I’m just so blown away by all that they have to deal with and stand her with the most amazing smile ready to take on whatever is next. It’s truly a gift,” Smith said.

Marcy Webster said the Wish process allowed her daughter to dream.

“When you are spending long hours at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center you kind of run out of things to say,” Marcy said. “You start taking about your Make-A-Wish and what do you want to do? That was an awesome way to look to the future.”

Marcy Webster said Rachel is doing well. She has been cancer-free for 20 month and does surveillance scans every three months because Rachel’s cancer has a high risk of recurrence. Her next scan is in August.

“Her cancer had spread from her initial spot on her leg and came up through the pelvis and into her lungs – which is where Ewing sarcoma likes to lurk,” Webster said. “She had a really poor prognosis at the beginning, but Dr. (Michael) Isakoff at Connecticut Children’s had recommended a very aggressive treatment, which meant losing the leg. We’ve done everything we can for her, and she’s received outstanding care.”

Marcy Webster said the trip will be a chance for the family to take their mind off everything for a while.

“So, we haven’t had a break or been able to catch our breath much in the way of closure,” Webster said. “As you can imagine dealing with that kind of catastrophe, we don’t have a lot of extra money to spare, and we are pretty much living day to day. For Make-A-Wish to come along and provide this opportunity that proves that hope and healing for Rachel.”

While in Hawaii, the Webster family will be going on a sunset cruise and snorkeling.

“I’ve always loved to swim,” Rachel said. “Even before I lost my leg, I always loved the water. It always felt freeing.”

Rachel Webster is entering seventh grade at Silas Deane Middle School in the fall. She was previously at Hanmer Elementary School. She’s also affiliated with the Hospital for Special Care (New Britain) as an adaptive athlete. Rachel is also active in the Ryan Martin Foundation wheelchair basketball organization and does adaptive swimming.

“She’s looking to the future and seeing what life is like now that she’s disabled and what doors does that open? Because it doesn’t shut most doors.it really just seems to give her new avenues to meet new people and be an advocate,” Marcy Webster said.

Rachel said she is looking most forward to being on a Hawaii beach.

“We know we are going to be jet-lagged on Monday, so we are going to relax,” Rachel said. “We are going to have shaved ice and go to the pool and relax for the day. Tuesday is when we are going to get things hyped up.”