Hamilton teen gets hero's welcome home after cancer treatment

HAMILTON -- After spending a month at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia undergoing treatment for a cancerous brain tumor, Brandon Gonzalez was ready to come home. He only wanted one thing--a small discharge party with family and friends.

As Brandon's family returned to his Yardville home Friday he got that - and much more.

Family, friends, neighbors, well-wishers and a lot of supporting police officers gave the 14-year-old a hero's welcome, erupting in thundering applause as they arrived with a lights-and-sirens police escort.

A giant banner created by neighbor Linda Gater, which read "Welcome Home Brandon, Love, the Hood" as well as many homemade signs, balloons, and gifts adorned the family home.

A welcome home feast--with donated treats from the neighbors and a spread from the family's restaurant--Mama Flora's Trattoria in Ewing--capped off the celebration.

Stepping out of the car, the future Steinert High School freshman tearfully embraced his mother, Maria, and father, Gambino, and younger brother, Jason, before making the effort to thank his supporters one by one.

"It feels good to be home," said the overwhelmed teen, wearing a Superman t-shirt. "I finally get to sleep in my own bed."

As the supporters applauded Brandon's return, his family shared an emotional moment, thanking the community for being there.

"Thank you so much everyone," his mother Maria said to the crowd. "You don't know what this means to us."

Brandon's fighting spirit and positive attitude in the hospital inspired close friends to launch two separate campaigns - a GoFundMe campaign organized by Michelle Kotch to help with medical expenses - and a t-shirt campaign that reads "Stronger than Cancer," designed by his soccer coach Mary Brower.

The campaigns also caught the attention of his favorite football team, the New England Patriots, who sent a care package with autographed pictures and letters of encouragement. Brandon was even more shocked when a separate gift arrived from quarterback Tom Brady.

"Tom sent me a box with my name on it, and when I opened it, it was a Jersey signed 'Brandon, Keep Fighting,'" he said. "I didn't expect any of it."

Maria was so touched by Brady's words--"Keep Fighting"--that she designed rubber bracelets with that very message, which she distributed to the crowd as a humble thank you.

Throughout the past year, Brandon, an academic who plays the piano, as well as football, soccer and baseball, started to suffer from headaches that appeared to be migraines.

After returning from a friend's house at the shore on July 10, a headache and accompanying nausea was so bad his family brought him to a hospital emergency room, where a CAT scan picked up a cancerous brain tumor--categorized as Medulloblastoma.

He was on his way to CHOP.

Brandon underwent immediate surgery, but the tumor could not entirely be removed. The teen has months of radiation and chemotherapy ahead of him, as well as speech, occupational and physical therapy to help his balance, which was greatly affected by the surgery, his mother said.

"We know it's going to be a long road," she said.

The community was quick to come to his aid.

"He's such a nice kid," said 13-year old Cody Young, whose father, Sam, a Hamilton police officer, arranged for the police escort. "He's funny and social and kind to everybody. He's good to be around, and brings a good vibe."

Connor Cooke, 15, believes it won't be long until his friend is back on the field. "He was born to be an athlete," he said.

It's his heart, says Sophie Lewallen, 14, that will get him through his fight.

"He's amazing," she said. "He's such a good person and he cares about everybody. He would help you if you need it. He was so strong through it all in the hospital. He had bad days, but he was always happy."

Maria Gonzalez said the support of the neighbors--including the many teachers from Yardville Elementary School (who stopped by with care packages for as well as support for Jason) and Reynolds Middle School--made a difference in the darkest days at CHOP.

"I don't have words to thank everyone for all the support," she said. "We are so lucky that we have the neighbors that we do."

The GoFundMe page can be found here, and the t-shirt campaign can be found here.

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