FULTON, NY - Surrounded by family, friends and supportive strangers, a Fulton teenager has been presented with proof that wishes do come true.

Heather Oney, 14, was given a Caribbean cruise through the Make A Wish Foundation of CNY during a party in her honor at CXtec Tuesday evening.

Oney went through brain surgery just more than a year ago after being diagnosed with a medullo blastoma, a cancerous tumor that was about the size of a gumball. Since that time, she has gone through rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.

Nearing the end of her treatments, Oney can now look forward to a week-long cruise for herself, her parents — William and Beth Oney — and her brother and his girlfriend.

Nikki Bomasuto, manager of program services at the Make A Wish Foundation of CNY, explained that children are referred to the group by family members or physicians. At that time, children are assigned “wish granters” to help them work through the task of selecting wishes. Oney was assigned three wish granters — Terry Baum, Carrie Jessen and Diane Galvin — to help her along the selection process.

“She wanted to take a cruise,” Bomasuto said. “But she wanted to take the cruise after she was done with chemotherapy.”

Oney is expected to be done with treatments by the end of the year. Her cruise is slated for February.

Through a program called “Adopt A Wish,” Bomasuto explained that businesses and community groups are able to sponsor a child’s wish, taking on the required $6,000 in fundraising efforts. The team at CXtec was paired with Oney for its first Adopt A Wish effort.

“The businesses can choose to be very involved or as little involved as they want in the process,” Bomasuto explained.

CXtec opted to be as involved as it could. In addition to raising the required funds, the business organized and hosted a party to announce Oney’s wish was granted. The tropical-themed festivities included refreshments, Hawaiian shirts and flowered leis, as well as a performance from The Island Band.

Joseph Fiumara, Oney’s uncle, said that the family was overwhelmed by the support.

“This is a such a wonderful thing that this company is doing,” Fiumara said. “We can’t express our thanks enough.”

Fiumara noted that CXtec went “above and beyond” by hosting the party that included Oney’s family and friends.

“This is such a great way for everyone who has been involved through the 13 months since we learned her diagnosis,” Fiumara said. “We are a very close-knit family. To be able to have this many people get together to celebrate with her is just fantastic.”

As she made the announcement, Barbara Ashkin, COO of CXtec, told Oney that the company was excited for the opportunity to grant her wish. She noted that the company employees raised the funds through a silent auction and events like a dunking tank during an employee picnic.

“Wishes do come true,” Ashkin said. “Happy sailing.”

“We are very grateful to CXtec for its support,” said Andrea Marshall, director of development at Make A Wish. “We don’t turn down wishes. It is great when we have businesses or companies willing to help.”

During one fiscal year, Marshall said Make A Wish Foundation of CNY granted 80 wishes to children across the 15-county area it serves.

Heather Oney with her wish granters. Standing from left are Terry Baum, Carrie Jessen and Diane Galvin.

During the announcement, Oney was presented with a slate of gifts, including a four-piece set of luggage that was donated by JC Penney, a large stuffed penguin, a care package filled with cruise needs such as a towel and sun block, a sports-themed quilt, a gift certificate and a “count down calendar” to mark the days left until her trip. Today marks 81 days left until the family leaves.

“I am glad to be going on a cruise,” a shy Oney said after the presentation. She said she’s been on a cruise once before but enjoyed it so much that she wanted to take another to a different place.

“The first cruise was so much fun,” she said.

“I am just overwhelmed,” an emotional wish granter, Galvin, said after the presentation. “It is so rewarding when wishes are granted.”

Galvin said that while some children have trouble deciding what their wish is, Oney knew right away what she wanted. She noted that it was more difficult to help Oney decide her second wish, which is required in the event a first wish is not allowed for medical reasons, for example.

Oney’s parents couldn’t say thank you enough to CXtec and Make A Wish. Beth Oney said the family is looking forward to a new year free of treatments for her daughter.

“She has come a long way in a year,” Beth Oney said. “She is almost done with chemo and will be up and around soon. She can start the new year with the chemo out of her system and feeling better. … She just wants to get back on the softball field.”

Oswego Harborfest has announced that the popular 50-50 Raffle to benefit Harborfest will return in 2009.

Farnham Family Services, an Oswego-based substance abuse treatment and prevention center, is now selling tickets for its 2009 Changing Lives Raffle.

As this column goes to press the 152nd Oswego County Fair should be in full swing at Sandy Creek. During the previous week the Heritage building was stocked full with many new and unique exhibits. We even brought down a piano for some live music!