SUMNER - When little Grant Schellhorn and his siblings feel like playing at the park, they'll only need to walk to their backyard.

Today, Grant receives his wish from the Make a Wish Foundation - a playground area built to the family's specifications. The Schellhorn children - Grant, 3; Marshall, 6; Ethan, 5; and Nora, 1 - will be able to swing, slide and play house to their hearts' content.

Grant was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) at 16 months. The rare, high-grade tumor, usually found in the cerebellum in children younger than 2, is aggressive and often spreads through the central nervous system. The survival rate for children diagnosed under the age of 3 is less than 10 percent, even with treatment.

After more than a year of treatment, which included two surgeries, 46 weeks of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and Gamma Knife surgery, Grant returned home from St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He has now been off treatment for nine months.

"I could write a book on all he went through," said Grant's mother, Beth, adding that her son had to learn to walk again after surgery while feeling sick from chemo treatments. He still has weekly physical and occupational therapy sessions, helping him rebuild the strength in his left leg and arm. The original tumor site has been cleared, and the Schellhorn family returns to St. Jude's for scans and checks every three months to ensure there has been no new growth or progression of disease.

"His limitations don't matter to us because we know that every day with him happy and 'healthy' at home is a blessing that we hope lasts a lifetime," said Beth.

"We hope he's that one in 10, but lots of kids relapse two to three years out. When he makes the five-year mark that will be huge. … We'll be at two years (from diagnosis) on June 30."

Beth said the new play area also will provide great therapy for Grant.

"The climbing and maneuvering is the hardest work he can do. It makes him stronger and teaches him to problem solve through his environment," she said.

The Deb and Jeff Hansen Iowa Select Farms Foundation, of Iowa Falls, decided to sponsor Grant's wish. Members of their team will help build the play structure and make sure today is truly special for the Schellhorn family.

"I think rather than doing a trip, something he may hardly remember … this is something that will be lasting," said Sue Beenken, a member of the Iowa Select Farms team.

Companies that sponsor wishes can choose their level of involvement. Some want to be anonymous and some want to meet the children they are helping, but only a few take a hands-on approach like Iowa Select Farms, said Crystal Wieland, wish coordinator with Make a Wish Foundation of Iowa.

"They're doing the little things that will make it so awesome for Grant and memorable for his family. They're stepping up and seeing things that need to be done," she said. "Part of our mission statement is to 'grant wishes to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.' They're enriching not only Grant's life but his mom and dad and siblings' lives. It's a ripple effect."

Contact Kelsey Holm at (319) 291-1464 or kelsey.holm@wcfcourier.com.