♡ Liam Myrick, a 5-year-old boy from a small Missouri town who is fighting a rare cancer, has always wanted to see the ocean. Now his wish is coming true, thanks to the help of a group of Coachella Valley residents and businesses. Liam was diagnosed at age 3 with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a cancer that attacks nerve cells. Liam's life story, well-documented on Facebook, touched Palm Springs philanthropist Rick Pantele, himself a three-time cancer survivor. Pantele immediately rallied desert business owners to pitch in on a special two-week vacation for Liam's family. Pantele also organized a GoFundMe online campaign that will raise $50,000 to pay for the family's medical and travel expenses. The fun-filled trip begins Monday, when Liam and his family fly from Houston, Missouri, to San Diego. Many activities that Liam has only dreamed of — visiting Legoland, going on a whale-watching cruise — are at the top of the to-do list. "I had to figure out every detail to carry out such a precious package," said Pantele, who has been planning a meticulous itinerary of a Padres baseball game, a visit to a historic San Diego fire station and a tour of the USS Essex ship, as well as comped meals throughout the trip. After a week in a condo near the beach, the family plans to arrive Sept. 1 in Palm Springs and spend four days relaxing in the desert. Liam's mother, Shawna Myrick, is amazed by the outpouring of kindness from people they've never met. A car donated from Palm Springs Nissan for the duration of their four-day desert stay. Free vacation rental rooms at Colony 29. "We're very appreciative of everybody that's put this all together, not just for Liam but for the whole family," Myrick said. "To have the support from people we don't even know is an awesome feeling." Two years ago, Pantele found Liam's story on Facebook, where updates of his health condition and photos of him smiling on various family trips have garnered hundreds of "likes" and comments from people across the country. Pantele became close friends with Liam's family over the years. When Liam repeated his wish to see the ocean, Pantele began to enlist the help of local businesses to make the dream a reality. After Liam sees waves for the first time in San Diego, the family will stay at a five-bedroom vacation rental at Colony 29, courtesy of McLean Company Rentals. "When I found out he was coming here, I just thought why not let them really share in the Palm Springs experience," said Mike McLean, who runs the rental company. "Let's put them up in a vacation rental home and relax and have plenty of space and enjoy the Palm Springs lifestyle." McLean, a board member of the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, sent an email blast asking for help from other members. Copley's, Cheeky's, Matchbox, the Viceroy Palm Springs and the Hilton Palm Springs were among the many restaurants and hotels to immediately chip in. Pantele has also made sure to include Liam's two sisters, 8-year-old Natalie and 14-year-old Natasha, in the family trip. During their stay in Palm Springs, the three siblings will be invited to paint art and take photos together at Venus Art Studios. Some of the canvases will be partially painted by other artists for Liam and Natalie to complete, while Natasha will receive a camera to snap pictures. The art of the three siblings will go on display during a Gallery 446 public reception in Palm Springs. The event scheduled for Sept. 3 will also kick off the gallery's support of BOO2Bullying, an anti-bullying campaign. "That was like a no-brainer for me and the gallery," said Dimitri Halkidis, owner of Gallery 446. "We're so happy to help. That's such a small thing to do. One hundred percent of the sales are going to Liam's fund." Dominique Fong is a business and real estate reporter for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at (760) 778-4661, dominique.fong@desertsun.com and on Twitter . GoFundMe campaign
Money raised will pay for medical and travel expenses for Liam Myrick, a 5-year-old boy from Missouri who has always wanted to see the ocean. His mom, dad and two sisters arrive in San Diego on Monday and plan to stay in Palm Springs from Sept. 1-4.
