A Fort Worth boy battling a rare form of brain cancer is made an honorary police officer.
In the driveway of his grandparents' house, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes administered the oath to Rylan Pruitt, 6.
Rylan was diagnosed May 26th," says Marisa Pruitt, Rylan's mother. "He had only had one headache, and then daycare called and he was getting sick. We took him to the hospital and they found a large brain tumor."
The Pruitts went to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis for treatment.
"He did 30 radiation sessions (and) four months of chemo," says Marisa Pruitt; "and then at the end of his chemo treatment, they did his final scans and that's where they found a new spot on a spine."
Earlier this month, the Fort Worth Police Department helped organize a parade for Rylan's sixth birthday, in which vehicles would pass the Pruitt's home in northwest Fort Worth.
The family hoped a couple dozen people would take part; instead, more than a thousand showed up.
"The love that has been poured out from this community is not surprising but is unlimited, just like unconditional love that we have for all of our family members," says Greg Milini, Rylan's grandfather. "Words are not even online or in the dictionary that express our deep, deep appreciation."
While Rylan's prognosis is grim, the family remains hopeful.
"Things happen, and we love our grandson very much," says Milini, "and we're pulling for him."
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