By Sally Tippett Rains
Tuesday started out rainy and wet but later in the afternoon the sun came out and the skies cleared up just in time for a special drive-by police and fire parade that was organized by Sherry Opich a volunteer with Rainbows for Kids. The parade which included police cars, fire engines, police motorcycles, and friends driving their own cars– all to bring joy to Brendan Schmitt a young cancer patient who is facing a tough road ahead.
A lot of people showed up. The Police and Fire Departments from the City of OFallon, along with the mayor Bill Hennessy of O’Fallon and Police Officer Sidney McDonald, who are shown in the photo above with Brendan.
Others who took their time out to be in the parade were the St. Charles County Sheriff and Police Department, St. Charles City Police Department, the Ferguson Police Department, Denny Klier and the Patriot Guard riders, Bikers with Backpack Group, Marcella Riportella, and volunteers and families fron Rainbows for Kids.
“It was awesome,” said Michelle Schmitt. “Brendan loved every minute of it.”
Brendan had osteosarcoma when he was a child and overcame it and graduated from high school. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive form of bone cancer. His medical team promptly amputated his right arm, a decision that saved him.But later the cancer came back, and he will be getting his shoulder amputated in hopes of getting the cancer out of his body.
Brendan and his brother Caden, along with their parents Michelle and Michael Schmitt and many family members and friends watched the parade from their driveway in O’Fallon, Missouri. Brendan had made a sign to thank everyone involved in the parade.
When volunteers from Rainbows for Kids found out about Brendan’s relapse many stepped forward to help. Sherry Opich is a former police officer and police widow, who is involved in the Police Wives organization and other law enforcement support organizations. She is also a volunteer at Rainbows for Kids.
“I’ve got to do something,” she said when she found out about Brendan’s situation. “I just want to bring a smile to his face.”
She accomplished that goal as the video below shows. He waved at and thanked everyone in the parade.
“God shined His light on Brendan today!” said Opich, (shown in photo, right with Brendan.) “He chased away the rain and brought a big smile to his face.”
“It really made our hearts smile,” said Michelle Schmitt. “Everyone was so sweet.”
Rainbows for Kids has been going strong for 24 years since their first party in 1999 at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital. They incorporated into a charity in January of 2000, and exist to help families of children with cancer as well as other families going through a tough time due to health concerns. They provide fun activities, support, and friendship. Rainbows for Kids also provides help in other ways on an individual basis, serving patients from all pediatric hospitals in the Greater St. Louis.
To watch the parade:
How You Can Help:
The family has a GoFundMe account set up and with all the medical expenses in the past year they are in need of financial assistance. To contribute: CLICK HERE.
To find out more about Rainbows for Kids: CLICK HERE.
