Pool Party Will Make Heroes Out of Your Pirates and Princesses

Every kid wants to be a pirate or a princess for the day. But to play dress-up at one of the region’s premier water parks? That brings a whole new level of adventure to make-believe.

On June 19, when Splash City in Collinsville closes its doors to the public for the evening, it will open up a world of imagination for pirates and princesses, who are free to splash, slide and swim to their hearts’ content.

During the Princess & Pirate Pool Party, hosted by the Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, kids can participate in themed games, sample royal treats and beverages, and compete for prizes in the Duck Race on the lazy river. Joining them on their escapades will be Jake, Ariel, Snow White – and start the squealing – Elsa. Yes, parents, you can finally step away from your endless Elsa doll hunt on eBay and meet your child’s obsession in person.

As much fun as your kids will have, they’ll also help some special kids have fun of their own. Proceeds from the Princess & Pirate Pool Party will help Kellsie’s Hope grant wishes to children and young adults who are facing a relapse in their cancer battle, giving them hope at a difficult and frightening time in their young lives.

There’s no place like hope

In 2005, 15-year-old Kellsie Marchbanks of Maryville, Ill. was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. After bravely fighting the disease, she remained cancer-free until 2010 when her family learned the cancer had metastasized in her lung. During her treatment, Kellsie continued to live her life no holds barred – attending nursing school, traveling, and planning a Disney wedding to her prince, Joey Silhavy.

As the recipient of so much kindness and compassion during her journey, Kellsie chose to focus on the happiness of others. In 2011, she started Kellie’s Hope from her hospital bed, to make life more enjoyable for her fellow patients in the pediatric oncology ward and to support childhood cancer research. After her passing that year, her family made it their mission to turn her dream into a nonprofit foundation.

Said her mother, Gail, “Because of Kellsie’s passion to help kids with cancer and to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, there was no question that we had to continue her work through the Foundation named in her honor. As her mom, how could I not? The Foundation has not only helped the kids that Kellsie wanted to help but it has also helped her Mom get through each day. I get to see her, and talk about her every day. Kellsie passed away before she could see her plan come true, but I know that she is smiling down on what she sees.”

Today, Kellsie’s Hope is primarily focused on, but not limited to, granting wishes to those kids and young adults who have relapsed. While many have already had a dream generously fulfilled after their initial diagnosis, few are able to receive another if the cancer returns.

“When Kellsie was 20 she relapsed for the third time,” explained Marchbanks. “Her life was very different; she was in nursing school and planning a wedding while battling this disease again. She needed something to look forward to, something to give her hope. Fortunately we had our school and the help of another organization that was able to send Kellsie and our family to Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios. This happened to be our last family vacation with Kellsie, one month before she passed away, and it will be a memory that I will cherish forever.”

Each wish is different for each child. Kellsie’s Hope has paid for a playground to be constructed in a child’s backyard. It has sent families on dream vacations to Branson and Florida, including that of a 19-year-old young man who is too old to qualify for other programs, and provided gifts and toys to children at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In addition, Kellsie’s Hope offers a scholarship to a high school senior each year who is following her path toward nursing school.

The Princess & Pirate Pool Party encompasses Kellsie’s love for children and all things Disney, putting smiles on the faces of the attendees and the fellow children they will be helping as they throw on their tiaras and eye patches and hit the water.

This family-friendly event will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 at Splash City, located at 10 Gateway Drive in Collinsville. Tickets are $25 per child (chaperones and parents are free) and include two hours of swimming, games, treats, and five raffle tickets. The first 50 princesses and 50 pirates to register will receive a special Royal Treasure and 10 raffle tickets. To register, visit www.kellieshopefoundation.org or call 618-806-7459.

For Marchbanks, the event is a culmination of Kellsie’s compassion for others and her zest for life.

“Kellsie was all about having fun; she lived life to the fullest, always smiling and laughing. We want the kids to have fun and enjoy the evening of swimming and activities. Although some are too little, we hope that someday they know that they had a part in helping kids their own age who have cancer.”

^{Photos courtesy of Kellsie's Hope Foundation Facebook page}

^{Top photo: Kellsie Marchbanks pictured with fiance Joey Silhavy}