Parade Celebrates LI Boy's Final Chemo Treatment Amid Coronavirus

LINDENHURST, NY — Six-year-old Jaxson Ginsberg has been waiting more than half his life to finish his chemotherapy treatment and he wasn't going to let anything stop him from celebrating — not even the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, what was originally going to be a small party with friends and family turned into a community-wide parade in celebration of Ginsberg finally completing his treatment after over three years of chemotherapy for his leukemia.

On Saturday, Joe Greef, a member of the local group Strong Island Car Parades for Kids along with Lindenhurst Fire Lieutenant Fred Sladky, gave Ginsberg a ride in the parade which was also attended by police officer Thomas Joy, the NYPD Asian Jade Society and Steven Castleton,the civilian aid to the site of the army.

Lindenhurst Mayor Michael A. Lavorata was also in attendance, riding the second car behind the Suffolk County Police escort. Ginsberg's mom Melissa Digiacomo said over 200 cars and several motorcycle clubs including Chosen Souls, participated in the event. Teachers and coworkers were also a part of the parade, which included a huge army caravan truck, firetruck, muscle cars and more. All to celebrate Ginsberg after finally reaching the end of his treatment. The Long Island-based business, Gigis Imagination, even donated a rainbow balloon arch for the family.

"It was insane," Digiacomo told Patch.

The family was thrilled to have the celebration, especially with the pandemic keeping them in their home for Ginsberg's protection the past few months. However, Digiacomo is grateful to everyone who worked to make the day special.

"Quarantine is nothing abnormal for a immunosuppressed family. Missing out on a lot of things over the last 3 1/2 years had become the 'normal,'" Digiacomo said. "But Jax is ready and going to really start living life now! We started out rough, it got worse before it got bearable but we finished strong, having hundreds of people to celebrate when we didn't think it was possible. Its exactly what we needed to start the next chapter!"

Watch a video from the parade below:

All photos and video courtesy of Melissa Digiacomo