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Waxhaw boy with life-threatening illness gets Disney World sendoff

A little boy with a life-threatening illness is on his way to Disney World thanks to local nonprofits and American Airlines.

On Friday, the boy's family joined another North Carolina family for a huge send-off at Charlotte's airport.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — IMAGES: Waxhaw boy with life-threatening illness gets Disney World sendoff
 
"We knew that this was going to be a week without having to worry about anything," said his mother Lauren Quinn.

Quinn said her 3-year-old son Jace is ready to leave their home in Waxhaw and get to the "Happiest Place on Earth."

"To see Mickey Mouse and Goofy and Donald Duck," Quinn said.

She said this trip is especially needed since Jace battles a bone marrow failure disorder.

"We're at the hospital about every two weeks for his checkup, sometimes every week," Quinn said. "Jace actually makes it very easy not to be like down at all because he's so brave."

Jace's family is joining a boy from mount Airy, North Carolina, for an all-expense paid trip to Orlando made possible by American Airlines, Make-A-Wish and the Something Magic Foundation.

"To make them forget about what's going on with their illnesses and just have a really fun day," said Katie Cody with American Airlines.

Make-A-Wish gets referrals from doctors treating kids with life-threatening illnesses.

"They have their own little cottages that they stay in 24-hour room service, 24-hour ice cream," said Make-A-Wish's Amy Brindley.

"We don't have to worry about getting poked with needles, you know, going to the doctors, just have some, you know family fun time," said Quinn.

This year, the Something Magic Foundation will sponsor 37 children with life-threatening medical conditions on those free, week-long vacations to Orlando.