BY: Talia Tirella
Sunday, October 23, 2016 @ 10:06am
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A Jersey City boy who battled cancer for two years died Saturday just a few days after the Jersey City Police Department and other first responders threw him a hero-themed parade, according to the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association.
Parth Patel, 9, was in fourth grade and battling Ewing Sarcoma, a form of cancer that typically forms around bones, according to NJ.com. Patel recently had to skip days of school because of his illness.
He died Saturday after battling the disease since his diagnosis in 2014, according to NJ.com.
NJ.com reported that Jersey City Police Officer Adrien Murrell heard about Patel’s illness and wanted to do something special for him after losing her own brother to a terminal illness.
Jersey City Police partnered with firefighters and EMTs to hold a surprise, hero-themed parade for Patel on Wednesday that started at Patel’s home on Nelson Avenue and ended at his school on North Street.
Patel wore a specially made Jersey City Police Officer uniform and rode in style in a Batmobile driven by his favorite superhero, according to NJ.com.
First responders gave him a superhero cape from Jersey City Medical Center EMTs and an honorary battalion chief fire helmet.
His classmates joined in and cheered him on before they all enjoyed a pizza party in the school’s auditorium provided by the Marty Lyons Foundation.
Patel was also presented with a key to Jersey City by Mayor Steve Fulop, according to NJ.com.
