Since 14-year-old Jasmine Manning’s cancer was diagnosed two years ago, her illness may have affected her physically, but it hasn’t affected her smile, or her love for Disney. Now, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is sending her and the Manning family to Walt Disney World on May 4 for a weeklong vacation.

Sunday, Make-A-Wish threw a send-off party for Jasmine and the Manning family at Golden Corral in Washington, which is Jasmine’s favorite restaurant. The organization surprised her with a limo ride from her house to the restaurant with a full police escort.

Washington Fire Department personnel greeted Jasmine at Golden Corral with a fire truck, and she and her siblings took pictures with some of the first responders.

The goal for Make-A-Wish was to make Jasmine’s day as special as possible and give her VIP treatment.

“Jasmine was diagnosed with a brain tumor about two years ago and has been off and on with problems as far as occurrences hydrocephalus and hip and knee problems,” said her father, Marvin Manning.

When Jasmine’s Sunday came, she said she’d forgotten about her plans to have lunch at Golden Corral and had no idea that Make-A-Wish was going to throw her a going away party, but when she saw everybody waiting for her she got excited.

“This is more than I can imagine. It’s real exciting, and something I have been dreaming about ever since I got out of the hospital,” Jasmine said.

A year into her treatment, Jasmine lost her mother, and, according to her father, she was trying to get through that loss and get back to being a normal kid, at the same time.

“If you had seen her a while back with all the pain and the problems it really makes you miserable,” her father said. “But to have something to look forward to — it really builds your spirits. It really does.”

Steve Dalberto, who is a Wish-Granter and a volunteer with Make-A-Wish, said he has granted wishes for three or four children in Beaufort County. He also organized Jasmine’s limo ride and police escort with the help of Fire Chief Robbie Rose.

This is Jasmine’s first trip to Disney. She said she is looking forward to visiting Sea World because she loves animals. She also plans to take pictures with the Disney characters, and bring home a pair of Minnie Mouse Ears, she said.