Eunice girl will swim with dolphins, as Dreams Come True

By this time next week, India Anderson will have lived her dream -- swimming with dolphins in the open sea, thanks to a Louisiana non-profit that makes it possible for some youngsters with life-threatening diseases to realize their dream.
India, 14, suffers from Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, a disorder characterized by the formation of tumors and fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in many different parts of the body.
The tumors may or may not be malignant, and they appear with warning.
As she received the cruise paperwork last week, one wouldn’t imagine the vibrant India to be suffering from any ailment.
She seemed a typical teen, looking forward to high school and thoroughly excited about the cruise, arranged after her neurosurgeon in New Orleans suggested to India’s mother, Michelle Guillory, that Dreams Come True, founded in Denham Springs about 20 years ago, might help the youngster achieve her dream.
Dreams Come True was represented at the session by Tammy Parrott of Mamou, appearing on behalf of her mother, who is a Baton Rouge volunteer with the group.
India goes to New Orleans monthly to see her specialists from Tulane.
Her disorder is a life-time one, and she is currently in a clinical trial of a drug that might eventually stem the growth of additional tumors.
There is no forecasting where a tumor might begin in her body. India had one removed in August 2012 and then in September 2013 had one removed from along her spine.
Despite classroom time lost to treatment of and for her illness, India has managed to be an honor roll student, as she leaves Eunice Junior High and heads for Bobcat Drive and Eunice High.
In addition to academic achievement, India has a list of accomplishments as a band member.
She was named most improved member, section leader, symphonic band member and marching band member.
She plays the bass clarinent and the clarinet. For older readers out there, this is a 9th-grader-to-be who knows who Benny Goodman was and the music he plays.
When she’s not studying or practicing with her licorice stick, India likes to cook, and Momma says she does a good job of it.
India’s siblings -- Shiya Ceaser, 7; Jai Guillory, 11; and Mikel Guillory, 19, will accompany India and their mother when the boat pulls out of the Port of New Orleans today for the five-day cruise.
The drug clinical that India is participating in is doubly important to Mary Guillory.
Jai has been diagnosed with the disorder and a still-quite-small tumor located in his spine.
According to its website Dreams Come True was founded in 1982 by seven families in Denham Springs with a goal of providing dreams to local area children with life-threatening illnesses
While it focuses on South Louisiana, the organization does reach out to children three to 18 across Louisiana.
It depends on volunteers and donations to make dreams come true.