Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

(From left) Angelia Tulloch, Starfish Resort's sales, marketing and public relations manager; Richard Bourke, general manager; cancer-stricken Stefan Tulner; his father, Henli, and little sister Evelin at the hotel last Tuesday. Stefan's wish was to visit Jamaica, the home of Bob Marley, and the wish was made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, SuperClubs and the Jamaica Tourist Board. - Photo by Richard Morais

WESTERN BUREAU:

Seventeen-year-old Stefan Tulner of the Netherlands got the wish of his life - to visit Bob Marley's country. Stefan says Marley's music has kept him going in his fight against cancer.

Stefan was vacationing at the Starfish Resort in Trelawny, last week, with his father, Henli, and younger sister Evelin, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, SuperClubs and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Keeping hope alive

"His (Bob Marley's) songs kept me going, especially during my illness and the thrice-weekly visits for chemotherapy. I keep hope alive because of the music," Stefan told The Gleaner.

"Many of my friends are now listening to the music. They didn't at first like it, saying it was too slow, but have now caught on to the power and strength of the music," he added. Stefan says his favourite song is Trench Town Rock.

Another of the teenager's wishes was to be photographed between two palm trees while in Jamaica.

Dealing with the illness

Stefan's father, who radiates a love beyond his six-foot frame, said his son was diagnosed with the illness, "a kind of leukemia cancer", from 2005 and has been out of school for the last year because of it.

He noted that, while the cancer is curable, the family is also mindful of the other face of the illness.

Evelin, who speaks very little English, said that, at first, it was very difficult to accept her brother's illness.

"We were first approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation two years ago and we were again asked this time. It is the company's policy to help as far as possible and it is always a joy to help people in difficult circumstances," stated Starfish Resort's sales, marketing and public relations manager, Angelia Tulloch.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an international body that attempts to grant wishes to terminally ill persons worldwide.