For the now six-year-old cancer patient from Steinbach, it was possibly the best birthday ever.

In June, young Marek Hiebert was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In July doctors told him he had a 50 per cent chance of survival. If things go badly, he may never turn seven.

Marek’s father, Fredy Hiebert says the devastating circumstances became too much for his wife alone and he was made to quit his job to help take care of their struggling son. Now without any income, the family is battling through both the emotional and the financial turmoil that cancer brings with it. Relying on the government for Employment Insurance and their generous support base for donations, the Hieberts have been making do but nothing has been easy. If what happened on Sunday means anything, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

“He loves birthdays, especially when they are his,” laughs Hiebert. “If he would have his way, he would invite all of his friends and have a big party but, unfortunately, he is immunocompromised so we need to keep our bubble small for the moment.”

To Marek, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, the COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant risk to his health. This left his parents with the question of how to celebrate the birthday of somebody who cannot be near other people. It seems the answer was a COVID-19 classic: a parade.

On Sunday, at around 1:00 PM, family members, friends, and people from the community gathered in the old Mid-Canada Millworks parking lot to set up. The entourage proceeded onto Marek’s house to surprise him.

The young boy watched in delight as flashing police cars, blaring firetrucks, and dozens of people yelling from the windows of their decorated vehicles passed by him.

“He loves parades,” emphasizes his proud father.