SPRINGBORO, Ohio — A simple request on social media turned into a powerful show of support for a 6-year-old boy battling leukemia whose dream is to become a police officer, WKEF reported.
Eli, who was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia in February, received a full-fledged birthday parade on April 14, led by the Springboro Police Department. The celebration began with a Facebook post from his mother asking if any officers could drive by their home with lights flashing to help celebrate his sixth birthday.
“A mother just posted in a group and said that her son was turning six and he wanted to be a police officer, and she asked if anybody knew any police officers that would be willing to just drive by the house with their lights on, you know, just to make something cool for him,” said Officer Aaron Morgan, Community Resource Officer for the Springboro Police Department.
More than 60 people responded, turning a small idea into a large-scale parade featuring law enforcement from multiple departments, according to the report.
Eli’s mother shared that he was diagnosed on Feb. 1 after doctors discovered a nearly four-inch mass on his heart. One month into treatment, he is in remission but will continue undergoing therapy for the next two years.
Among those showing support was Officer Megan Graham of the Hamilton Township Police Department, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, according to the report.
“Back in December of ‘24, I was diagnosed with Stage 4B cervical cancer and I’ve been going through treatment since then,” Graham said. “I know that Eli is also going through a treatment right now and also has cancer. And so it’s just nice to support him in this time.”
Both Graham and Morgan encouraged Eli to hold onto his dreams of joining law enforcement.
“I was little when I wanted to be a police officer and I followed through with those dreams as well, and, you know, if I have cancer and I can do it, then so can he,” said Officer Graham.
“We have him in our hearts,” Morgan added. “We want to bring him joy and show him the community is surrounding him.”
