A community in Oak Grove, Missouri, organized a special event to fulfill the final wish of 5-year-old Eros Tarin, who was recently given two months to live following a progression of his brain cancer. The boy's wish was to go on a helicopter ride.
Eros was first diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of two. Last week, his parents received news that the tumor in his brain had grown to a point where chemotherapy treatments would no longer be effective. This devastating prognosis spurred the community east of Kansas City into action.
Local small business owner Miranda Ritter coordinated the helicopter flight, which took place on a Tuesday. The event also included a firetruck and police escort to the hangar. Dozens of community members lined the curb with handmade signs to show their support as Eros and his parents traveled in a firetruck, preceded and followed by police cars with active sirens.
"It’s just amazing how everyone responded to my texts and social media posts, and it all came together in a matter of days," Ritter told FOX4. Jamie Ballowe Ratliff, who attended with her children, expressed the sentiment of support, stating, "Parents need to know they’re supported and loved on, and that child needs to feel that too."
The procession led Eros to a hangar in Odessa, where another group of community members awaited. Santa and a Deadpool impersonator were present with gifts. Pilot Jared Sisk emphasized the urgency, telling FOX4, "The sooner the better. Obviously time is of the essence with this little one, and it needed to happen."
Sisk took Eros and his father for a 10-minute ride over the Missouri countryside. Eros's mother, Angel Tarin, remarked on her son's spirit, saying, "He keeps smiling even though his body is doing something we don’t want it to do. I don’t know how he does it." She later expressed her gratitude on Facebook, writing, "Thank u to everyone who came out to support Eros It meant the world to us, and made his wish come true riding in the helicopter."