Lolita HarperHeller Park in Costa Mesa was...

Lolita Harper

Heller Park in Costa Mesa was transformed Saturday afternoon from a

mellow, grassy playground to party central -- complete with food,

drinks, moon bounces, clowns, balloons, face painters, train rides

and a fire truck.

It was not a celebration of birth, but of life, as the Taggart

family and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation commemorated the

remission of 2-year-old Jonathan neuroblastoma.

“It is a celebration of the cancer being gone and really a thank

you for all the people that helped us through this time,” mother

Tamara Taggart said.

Jonathan, one of two children born to Tamara and Kelley (with

another on the way), was diagnosed with cancer on Sept. 26, 2002 --

just after his second birthday, Tamara Taggart said. He was a patient

at Children’s Hospital Orange County, but never completely finished

his treatment because of the toll it was taking on his body, she

said. Jonathan suffered from kidney failure and pulmonary

hypertension as a result.

It has been a roller-coaster ride, Taggart said.

In February, Jonathan went in for a routine cancer scan, and the

doctors announced it was gone. The family’s elation was cut short

that night, when Jonathan suffered cardiac arrest.

With the help of top medical professionals, loved ones and faith,

Jonathan was able to return home March 1. The last cancer scan in May

found no traces of cancer.

“He is a little miracle,” the mother said.

The little wonder was busy Saturday afternoon playing with

friends, sitting in the fire truck, riding his brand new Power Wheels

car, being carried by his dad, laughing at his uncle Kevin Taggart

and hugging his mom. Jonathan, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and blue

cargo shorts, was fascinated with the moon bounces. He even found

time to have a little sibling tiff with his sister Hayley.

Corona del Mar resident and “wish granter” Debbie Logan watched

her little pal run around with his friends and family -- something he

had not been able to do when she first met him, she said.

Logan, a volunteer for the Make A Wish Foundation, said she first

met Jonathan in March, when he was so weak he could hardly walk. In

April, she granted his wish to go to Disneyland, Logan said.

“It is so great to see him talk now and smile and laugh,” Logan

said.

The thank you bash also announced the upcoming fund-raiser, “Drive

Fore the Cure and 5K Walk,” set to take place Nov. 1 at Pelican Hill

Golf Club and Nov. 2 for a walk at Fashion Island.

As part of the promotion, actress Marilu Henner joined the

festivities with her two sons, Joey and Nicholas.

“I am always willing to get involved with kids and health,” Henner

said. “This is a wonderful organization. An A-plus charity.”

Newport Beach businessman Tony Arcurio, who helped organize the

party and fund-raiser, said he met the Taggarts through his

daughter’s soccer league.

“It’s a heartbreaker,” Arcurio said. “It really is. This kid

deserves everything. This is his party.”

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].