651 vehicles show up for surprise birthday of 8-year-old fighting cancer

The massive parade celebrated Riley's fighting spirit and May 23 birthday.

651 vehicles show up for surprise birthday of 8-year-old fighting cancer
ABCNews.com
May 25, 2020, 2:45 PM

A surprise birthday parade for an 8-year-old boy had a massive, 651-vehicle turnout on Saturday.

Leesport, Pennsylvania resident Riley Rejniak, who is battling neuroblastoma a second time, waved as hundreds of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves.

Even exotic cars passed at a safe distance to celebrate Riley's fighting spirit and May 23 birthday.

"He waved to every single car and had the biggest smile face," mom Ashley Rejniak told "Good Morning America." "For me, I got emotional multiple times. We know he's loved by our community but the amount of gifts, balloons ... it was amazing."

Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate his fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23. Riley is fighting cancer a second time.
Brittney Haddon
Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate his fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23. Riley is fighting cancer a second time.
Brittney Haddon

Riley was first diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma on April 25, 2017. The cancerous tumor was found in his stomach but was also present in his bone marrow, Riley's parents said.

Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate his fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23. Riley is fighting cancer a second time.
Brittney Haddon

Riley was treated at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In 2019, Riley's cancer returned in his bone marrow.

"Riley had a total 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 12 rounds of radiation and five cycles of immunotherapy. He also had a stem cell transplant," dad Greg Rejniak told "GMA." "He's had ups and downs but his attitude has been incredible. He just loves life."

Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate his fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23. Riley is fighting cancer a second time.
Brittney Haddon
Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate Riley's fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23.
Brittney Haddon

When their son's cancer came back, the Rejniaks took it hard. Riley's response, however, was "I'm not worried about it," they said.

Riley's quote was printed on the back of T-shirts his family wore to the surprise birthday parade.

Riley Rejniak waved as a total of 651 of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate Riley's fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23.
Brittney Haddon
VIDEO: Surprise birthday for 8-year-old fighting cancer draws 651 vehicles
ABCNews.com

Ashley said Riley's cancer could return again but so far, doctors have found no evidence of disease. The Rejniaks were happy to celebrate Riley's birthday as well as this good news, they said.

PHOTO: Riley Rejniak waved as hundreds of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania, at a safe distance to celebrate Riley's fighting spirit and 8th birthday on May 23.
Riley Rejniak, who is battling neuroblastoma a second time, waved as hundreds of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania. Even exotic cars passed at a safe distance to celebrate Riley's fighting spirit and May 23 birthday, when he turned 8 years old.
Brittney Haddon

Family friend Brittney Haddon, who photographed the event, said it was "extraordinary to witness."

"This will be a memory that will last a lifetime and couldn't have gone to a more deserving family than them," Haddon told "GMA."

Riley Rejniak, who is battling neuroblastoma a second time, waved as hundreds of cars, motorcycles and first responders arrived in waves in Leesport, Pennsylvania.
Brittney Haddon

Greg Rejniak said, "[Riley] said it was the best birthday that he has ever had."

Follow Riley's journey on his Facebook page, Rally For Riley Rejniak.