Eight-year-old Nicholas Vicidomini rode the new "Turtle Whirl" on Thursday at Dutch Wonderland.

Over the weekend he was in a very different place.

The older son of Dennis and Carla Vicidomini of Manheim Township was a patient at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Nick, a second grade student at Nitrauer Elementary, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma last summer, when an 8-inch tumor was removed from his chest.

His three-year follow-up treatment included eight months of chemotherapy, recently completed.

"It's much easier since we got through that first part," said his mother.

Now it's time for some fun. And that's what Thursday at Dutch Wonderland was all about.

Vicki Darden, the park's safety and security manager and a 12-year cancer survivor, arranged the second annual private day in the park for the cancer patients at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey.

About 160 people, including more than 30 children with cancer, forgot their troubles for a day of free rides, meals and treats.

Wonderland and medical center employees volunteered at the park, usually open only on weekends until Memorial Day.

All the children are helped by the Four Diamonds Fund, founded by a former Lancaster County couple, Charles and Irma Millard, in memory of their 14-year-old son, Christopher, who died of cancer in 1972.

The organization helps families cope financially and emotionally with their children's cancer.

When Nick's tumor was discovered at Lancaster General Hospital, he was airlifted to Hershey.

The helicopter ride cost $13,000. Insurance picked up $8,000. Four Diamonds paid the balance. And that's the way it is for all the children's bills.

"We don't even see them," said Celeste Bush, of East Hempfield Township. "The medical center sends them directly to Four Diamonds and they pay them."

Her 3-year-old daughter, Sydney, had a brain tumor, her second one in two years, removed three weeks ago at the center. On Thursday, she was enchanted by the Dutch Wonderland Princess.

"The last three weeks have been very challenging," said her mother. "This is a great release from that."

Sydney's sister, Katie, 9, described "that."

"It's hectic at times — in and out of the hospital," she said. "Life can get very disorganized. Sometimes I don't know what I'm doing."

And that's why Darden is dedicated to making cancer a thing of the past.

She spent three days this week in Washington, D.C., with Lance Armstrong and 200 representatives of his Livestrong Foundation, lobbying on Capitol Hill for the Cancer Screening Treatment and Survivorship Act, introduced in Congress on Wednesday.

She urges all Americans to ask their congressional representatives to co-sponsor the bill.

"As a constituent, you're what's important to them," she said. "Tell them to get on board, to do what needs to be done and make sure cancer becomes a national priority."

For Darden, Thursday was a fun day with a very serious message.

CONTACT US: jkern@LNPnews.com or 481-6028