Cancer kids fly to North Pole

On a frigidly cold Saturday, Mohamed and Tejranie Basil brought their two-year-old daughter Kareena outside their home in Richmond Hill for a fantasy flight to the North Pole.
The trip was one of the first occasions, Kareena, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January, was allowed out of the house, other than trips to the Schneider Children's Hospital for her medical treatments.
&#8220It was very nice of the hospital and airline to organize this,” said Tejranie, as she held her wide-eyed daughter. &#8220It was really cheering.”
For the past 14 years, the Silver Liners, a group of retired flight attendants, U.S. Air, and the Children's Medical Fund of New York have organized the fantasy flight for children like Kareena, patients of Schneider's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit. This year on December 2, about 150 passengers - parents, 50 children with cancer, and siblings - arrived at the LaGuardia airport to be greeted by elves and the New York Police Department (NYPD) band.
After passing through security, the group boarded the B737 along with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and several elves, who volunteer their song-leading skills each year for the flight.
During the half-hour taxi around the runway, the kids were asked to close the windows - the reindeers, they are told, are sensitive to light. Then, upon arrival at the &#8220North Pole” - a festively decorated gate - the party begins with food, games, music by the Long Island Banjo Society, face painting, and, of course, Santa Claus.
Each child is brought up a passageway constructed from 12-foot-high candy canes to receive a toy from Santa and Mrs. Claus. When the jolly man in red and white asked seven-year-old Maya Murray what she wanted for Christmas, she gleefully replied, &#8220anything,” then wrapped her arms around Santa.
Four-year-old Natalie Almonte from East Elmhurst reached out to touch Santa's face, and as he grinned, her eyes lit up. College Point resident Lance Agundo, 6, danced with blow-up snowmen that were the same height as he was.
&#8220[Lance] He's loving it. He was singing on the plane,” said Verna Agundo, Lance's mom, as she chased her excited son, who later got his face entirely painted as a tiger.
For Caryn and Greg Kerwick, members of the Silver Liners who both dressed as toy soldiers for the flight, the event was one of many that they have attended over the years. This year, they brought also their son, John, 6, for the ride.
&#8220It warms your heart,” Caryn said, explaining why her family returns year after year.