For Mother’s Day, 2003, Nancy and Greg Buckney sent their children on a trip, to stay with their aunt in Georgia while Nancy was treated for Hodgen’s Disease, a form of cancer.
This year, the children are going on a trip again. This time, though, mom and dad are coming along and it’s to Disney World.
‘I’m overwhelmed to think of how far we’ve come. This is such an incredible opportunity,” said Nancy, 42. ‘We couldn’t be happier. The kids are thrilled.?
Her boss and coworkers at Glitz Salon in Independence Township are springing for the trip, to celebrate her five-year, cancer-free anniversary.
“All of us together are sending her and her family to Disney World,” said Michelle Smirnow, stylist at Glitz. ‘We all adore her and love her, and want to celebrate her life.?
Cherie Barnett, owner of Glitz, and her husband will accompany them to the Florida amusement park.
“Michelle came to me and asked if we could have a party. I said heck no, let’s send them to Disney World,” Barnett said. ‘When I heard it was Nancy’s ‘Five-Year-All-Clear anniversary,” I knew we had to do something more than just a party.?
Nancy, manager at Glitz, worked there since 1994, with a five-year break for her children, Davis and Abigail.
She was diagnosed when she was 32 weeks pregnant with her daughter. Her first treatments proved unsuccessful, and she suffered a relapse a year later.
Stem cell transplant at the University of Michigan in 2003, using her own cells, saved her life.
‘I felt like I was given a new life,? she said. ‘I wish I could thank all those who donated blood. I’m a new person, very happy.?
Nancy commutes from Swartz Creek to her job at Glitz, but she’s still family, Smirnow said.
“We wanted to celebrate her not worrying about getting checked,” Smirnow said. “We want her to enjoy the kids. Take time off.”