Kids Take Fantasy Flight to North Pole

ROMULUS (WJBK) -- TSA agents sing Christmas karaoke, Shriners clowns add lots of color to the terminal and the spirit of the season is everywhere inside Metro Airport.

Who could inspire such good in so many?ROMULUS (WJBK) -- TSA agents sing Christmas karaoke, Shriners clowns add lots of color to the terminal and the spirit of the season is everywhere inside Metro Airport.

Who could inspire such good in so many?  60 metro Detroit children, all fighting life-threatening illnesses, taking a fantasy flight to the North Pole.

Six-year-old Ethan started kindergarten perfectly healthy until the day doctors discovered a cancerous brain tumor.  For his mother, this day tops off a year and a half of heartache and hope.  "There are a lot of good people in this world.  They really reach out to the kids," says Pauline Joiner.

Little Nicole is bravely battling leukemia.  "I thank God everyday that I get to wake up and hug my baby and put her to bed at night because there are so many parents that loose the battle and don't get to," Shelly Burton tells FOX 2 News.

LeBron has spent much of his four years in the hospital fighting sickle cell disease.  "You have painful episodes, fevers, and with any type of fever he has to be hospitalized," Maya Dozier says.

However, for a moment that is all forgotten, replaced with jingle bells and joy.

Once on the flight, shades block the glowing North Pole glare and a team steps into action.  The Silverliners, Shriners, Northwest Airlines and the TSA all work together to make this trip happen.

Once they arrive, the kids make their way to the North Pole party and meet Santa Claus. 

In the end, these little heroes remind us that even when life is hard, dreams really can come true with a lot of hope, determination and child-like imagination.