One of the saddest things is the world is for a young child to suffer from cancer. Tragically, it happens all too often. So whenever there is an opportunity to relieve in any way that suffering, it is truly a blessing.

One of those ways is the Make-a-Wish foundation that helps children have something they have wanted to do for a long time come true.

Recently the Ironton Elks Club recognized how important this foundation’s work is by making an $8,000 donation. They did it in honor of two Lawrence County cancer survivors who had their wishes come true.

From August of 2011 to November 2013, 10-year-old Beth Ann Brown of South Point battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia and got to go to Disney World.

Her mother commended the organization and what a special time Beth Ann and her family had.

“We spent a week at Disney with nothing to worry about,” Tracey Brown said.

Also spending time at Disney World was 17-year-old Ashley Dennison, of Willow Wood. When Ashley was 14 she had kidney cancer, which she overcame about a year later.

“Going to Disney World was the most fun week of my life,” she said.

The Ironton Elks Club spent six months raising funds to help out the foundation and tangentially those children who deserve so much.

“They are an inspiration for us and an inspiration to the people in the community,” J.T. Holt of the Elks said. “They’ve had to go through some tough obstacles, but they persevered.”