Sweet moments brighten dark times
Cancer may have robbed teenager Chloe Clements of the chance to feast on chocolate this Easter but it cannot curb her enthusiasm for celebrating one of her favourite times of the year.
The Weekend West invited a group of children affected by cancer to share their expert opinions on a range of chocolate eggs and rabbits on shop shelves.
Chloe and her self-confessed chocoholic brother Josh, 11, were asked to judge with the Parish siblings Harry, 10, and Hudson, 8.
Chloe, who is in remission after surgery to remove a medulloblastoma brain tumour last August, said her favourite part of Easter was helping mum Leeann prepare food and egg hunts.
The 14-year-old has used a feed tube since September because chemotherapy and radiation treatments have affected her tastebuds, so she looked forward to giving her share of the chocolate to friends at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Emily Parish, whose four-year-old son Elliot lost his battle with medulloblastoma three years ago, said it was important for children to be able to experience the joy of the festive season — even at their weakest.
“Kids love the magic and joy that Easter brings,” Mrs Parish said.
“When Elliot’s health meant he couldn’t eat chocolate, I had to get creative with our celebrations, so I explained to the kids that the Easter Bunny had bounced into our house and I made sure he left his paw prints everywhere.
“During tough times for kids it’s important to create magical moments and memories as a family.”
Although the eggs packed with bells and whistles were a hit with children, the team of chocolate experts said taste was more important.
HOW THEY SCORED
Cadbury Dairy Milk Bunny $4
Josh 10/10
Red Tulip Humpty Dumpty Egg $6
Josh 9/10
Cadbury Marvellous Creations Bunny $6=
Harry 8/10 Awesome crackling
Hudson 9/10 Looks like a guy with a moustache
Ferrero Rocher Bunny $5
Harry 9/10 Awesome taste, I like the bunny hugging the egg
Hudson 8/10 Mummy's winner, I can taste the hazelnuts
Kinder Surprise Egg $15
Josh 8/10
Peppa Pig Egg $5
Josh 8/10 Yummy buttons
Lindt Gold Bunny $10
Josh 8/10
Chokeby Road Giant Egg $135
Hudson 7/10 Yum, yum, yum
Angry Birds Eggsplosive Eggs $3
Harry 6/10
Josh 6/10
Hudson 7/10
Where's Wally $10
Harry 6/10
Hudson 5/10
Galactic Bunny $20
Harry 4/10
Hudson 6/10
