An Abbotsford boy who fought leukemia for two years had a special birthday surprise over the weekend.
Liam Presnilla, who turned three on Feb. 9 and is now cancer-free, received a birthday parade on Saturday (Feb. 6) that included members of the Abbotsford Police Department (APD).
The event included Liam receiving a toy APD car from Staff Sgt. Rick Stewart on behalf of the department.
About 30 cars of family and friends drove twice by the family’s home on Purcell Avenue to pay tribute to the birthday boy. Dad Bryan and mom Kristie said their son was “overwhelmed” by the surprise.
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“But he was so excited to see the police cars with their lights on, and his family too,” Bryan said.
Liam was diagnosed with leukemia when he was five months old, and went through two years of chemotherapy at BC Children’s Hospital. He has been cancer-free since July 2020, with regular checkups and bloodwork.
Bryan and Kristie wanted to make their son’s birthday extra-special this year.
Kristie has a cousin who played hockey with the son of one of the APD sergeants, and, through those connections, arrangements were made for officers to join the family’s parade.
“For everyone to come together and celebrate his birthday in such a beautiful way, especially in these odd, different and trying times, was an incredible heartwarming experience,” Bryan said.
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vhopes@abbynews.com
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