A four-year-old girl who spent the last two years being treated for leukemia had her dream of visiting Disney World shattered when her father refused to give her permission, saying children who are more sick should go instead.
McKenna May completed her last chemotherapy treatment last month and was planning to celebrate by visiting the amusement park as the charity Make-A-Wish granted her a trip.
Her father refused to sign off on the trip and since Make-A-Wish requires permission from both parents, McKenna's mother Whitney Hughes was forced to pull her out.
Her father William May said the funds should not be used to help a child who is "free and clear" of cancer.
"I think it should go to kids who only have six months to live," he said.
President and CEO of Make-A-Wish for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Susan McConnell said McKenna definitely qualified for the trip and that it was unfortunate her mother had to pull her out.
"She's been through a lot. What I really feel bad about is she is stuck in the middle," Ms McConnell said.
Mr May has denied his refusal is related to his poor relationship with Ms Hughes but admitted her refusal to let him see his daughter annoyed him.
"I wasn’t allowed to be involved, it ticked me off," he said.
Ms Hughes has claimed Mr May went to very few doctor's appointments with McKenna and was only just granted visitation rights.
In a bid to get McKenna to Disney World regardless of her father's decision, Ms Hughes and her mother have placed collection tins around their local community in Ohio.
"She's really excited," Hughes said.
"It's all she's talked about for the last three months."
McKenna was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2010. Since then she had 15 spinal taps, multiple chemotherapy treatments and endured skin burns, fevers and steroid injections.
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