With television cameras rolling, Rima Elisia Andre slowly gets out of the car at Richmond's Auto West BMW.

The 36-year-old thought she was there to pick up a part for her friend's father's BMW, before heading for a day at the beach.

Covering her face, the petite Andre, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer in her breast and liver just over a year ago, looks somewhat overwhelmed. A tall man sporting a rather scary looking blue mask and red suit -- a.k.a the Blue Man or the Genie - is approaching to tell her she's been awarded an Experience Dream Day.

With that, Andre looks over to the women who nominated her -- Danielle Schroeder, counsellor and coordinator of youth programs at the Callanish Society and Tammy Dyson, her hospice palliative care social worker -- and starts to cry.

"I'm completely taken off guard and I had no idea," says the Trinidad-born Andre. "But when I saw the Genie, I knew what was happening because I've seen him on television."

With that, cameras flash and television crews start to interview her.

Soon, Andre is whisked off in the black Z4 convertible with her "genie" for a day of fun and pampering.

Sporting a huge smile, Andre lets out a whoop and raises her arms in the air for a wave.

"I'm sure I'm going to turn a lot of heads with this car," says Andre of the $100,000 sleek Beemer.

The man behind the mask is entrepreneur Joshua Dawson, who founded The Experience Genie over a year ago. Over the course of a year, he has traveled to 30 different cities. Dawson -- who is originally from St. John's Newfoundland and runs his company out of Montreal -- journeys across the world on the lookout for "local heroes" for an Experience Dream Day of new, exciting adventures and experiences.

"I started this because five years ago my father passed away from cancer," said Dawson, who has been interviewed by all the major Canadian and American television stations, including CTV, CBC, Global, NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox. "I had always wanted to provide a great day out for my father and sadly it was too late ... I felt it was time for me to give back.

(Some readers might remember that Dawson used to own Canada's Big Day Out, a first gifts experience company. He sold it to a travel agency in 2001).

Meanwhile, Auto West BMW's Jason So, marketing director, says BMW was thrilled to come on board.

"It's a fantastic event and one we feel is very rewarding for our staff," So says. "It's a great way for us to help out in the community."

He adds that Dawson approached the dealership three months ago with his proposal and So says it was a no-brainer for management.

"To offer someone, who is fighting for their lives, a day to forget about their problems is something that is pretty sweet."

As Schroeder waves to Andre, she turns and says: "Rima has such an incredible spirit and she has been fighting her cancer so bravely ... we really felt she was deserving of a special day."

"We have done a Dream Day once before and it was such a success," she adds. "At Callanish, we focus on a holistic model of healing.

"We have a team of health care providers who help cancer patients improve their emotional and spiritual health through various programs and retreats."

The News reached Andre over the phone the following day to ask her about her special day, and Andre immediately choked up.

"It was fabulous, just fabulous," said Andre, who was trying hard not to weep. "I am overwhelmed with the generosity, love and compassion that was shown to me ... I thought there must be others more worthy of this than me, but I thank Tammy and Danielle for nominating me."

Andre said it was such a treat given that she had just gotten out of the hospital last week after suffering from complications due to the chemotherapy.

"It's been a tremendously difficult journey for me since my diagnosis, one I wouldn't wish upon anyone, and for me to experience a day like I did was phenomenal," she said.

For more information about Experience Genie, visit www.experiencegenie.com. For more information about the Callanish Society, log onto www.callanish.org.

Here's a recap of Andre's Dream Day:

z Andre was chauffeured in a brand new BMW Z4 Roadster all day.

z She was then flown in a helicopter to the Harbour Front in Vancouver.

z Then, she and friend Scott Broderick checked into the St. Regis Hotel for an overnight stay.

z The two enjoyed a leisurely lunch before heading to the Vancouver Aquarium for a VIP animal encounter with dolphins.

z It was then time for a holistic spa massage.

z The day was capped off with jet boating, a gourmet dinner and a stay in a luxurious room at the St. Regis Hotel.

mhopkins@richmond-news.com