FROM A LITTLE GIRL, ONE CHRISTMAS WISH

They reached out to NCC and shared Georgia’s health records. Evaluating Georgia’s medical progress over the summer, including the smaller-sized tumor and its sensitive location, the proton doctors at NCC figured her chances of survival would be 60 to 70 percent.

“We came to Korea in October for a look and see,” Nick recalled. “We flew in at 5 that morning and flew out at 8 that night. We were able to spend time with Dr. Kim to better understand how Georgia’s treatment would work.”It’s Christmas. Not at home in Manila. But 1,600 miles away in Seoul, Korea. And 3-year-old Georgia Halliwell-Paget has just one wish for Santa.

“She wants her owie to go away,” said her dad, Nick. “We told her it won’t happen this Christmas. But hopefully, next Christmas.”

Diagnosed with an aggressive tumor on her lower spine days after her birthday in June, Georgia is receiving proton beam treatments at Korea’s National Cancer Center (NCC) and undergoing chemotherapy across town at Severance Hospital.

Ordinarily, Nick and his wife, Becca, would have traveled to the United Kingdom for the holidays, their two kids in tow, to celebrate with their extended families. “This year is going to be a different Christmas from any other Christmas we have experienced,” Nick said, as a tall Christmas tree sparkles nearby.

It’s not just the setting. Or the circumstance. For Becca and Nick, this Christmas is special due to the immense generosity of people — many of them strangers — who have made Georgia’s cancer care possible. Read More: